LEADING OFF: Gray faces Santana as MLB season resumes

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:

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BACK TO BUSINESS

The season resumes after the four-day All-Star break. Sonny Gray (10-3), a first-time All-Star who didn't get into the game, starts for Oakland at home against Minnesota. Ervin Santana starts for the Twins after getting a pair of no-decisions in his return from an 80-game drug suspension.

FLIPPED

Clayton Kershaw (6-6), the loser for the NL in Tuesday's All-Star Game, was pushed back one day by the Los Angeles Dodgers and will start Saturday at Washington. Mike Bolsinger (4-3) will start Friday's series opener against the Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann (8-5).

MOVING ON UP

Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless inning in his first appearance for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Facing Memphis on Thursday night, he allowed a hit to Dean Anna and struck out three. The 35-year-old right-hander agreed to a minor league contract on June 9 and made five one-inning appearances for Double-A Tennessee from July 6-13, allowing an unearned run and three hits.

FRESH START

Rangers left-hander Martin Perez, coming off elbow surgery, makes his first major league start in more than a year in the first game after the All-Star break at Houston. Perez's last start was May 10, 2014, against Boston. He reported elbow soreness after giving up nine hits and six runs in 3 2/3 innings of an 8-3 loss. It was the last of three straight bad outings after a 4-0 start with a 1.42 ERA. Perez had Tommy John surgery less than two weeks later. The 24-year-old made six rehab starts in the minor leagues this season.