MLB Player News

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Thornton (elbow) would be activated from the 10-day injured list and start Thursday in Baltimore, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton will end up spending the minimum amount of time on the IL after the Blue Jays deactivated him July 21 on account of right elbow inflammation. Montoyo's comments suggest that Thornton's elbow responded well to a throwing session earlier in the week, and the brief absence means that the rookie likely won't face any significant restrictions with his pitch count upon returning to action. Thornton will essentially claim Ryan Borucki's (elbow) spot in the rotation after the latter was sent back to the IL on Wednesday.

Boshers' contract was selected by Toronto on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old left has logged 86.1 career big-league innings, posting a 4.59 ERA but a more promising 3.84 FIP. However, none of those appearances have come since 2017. He owns a 2.78 ERA in 32.1 frames for Triple-A Buffalo this season. Ryan Borucki (elbow) landed on the injured list in a corresponding move.

Borucki was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with left elbow inflammation.

Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, Borucki's elbow didn't feel right after he played catch Wednesday, prompting the Blue Jays to move him back to the IL with a continuation of the same issue that prevented him from making his season debut until July 22. Borucki was blasted for six runs in just two innings over the weekend in what was just his second start back from the IL. The Blue Jays likely won't have a clearer idea for how long Borucki may be sidelined this time around until he resumes throwing again. Toronto selected reliever Buddy Boshers' contract from the minors in a corresponding move.

Treinen (5-3) was credited with the victory in Tuesday's extra-inning win over the Brewers, firing a perfect 10th inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.

For the second consecutive night, Treinen became the pitcher of record by preserving a tie during his time on the mound and then seeing the Athletics plate the game-winning run in the home half of the inning. Prior to Treinen's entry into the contest, Liam Hendriks notably blew his third save in his last four appearances, while for his part, Treinen generated his sixth straight scoreless outing. Given the respective performances of the two pitchers recently, there's at least a possibility that Treinen begins to eat into some of Hendriks' save chances down the stretch.

Pearson allowed two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings for Double-A New Hampshire on Tuesday. He struck out five.

The outing marked a milestone for Pearson, as it was the first time in his pro career he'd completed six full innings. The right-hander now boasts a 2.54 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB through 46 innings in the Eastern League, and while the Jays have treated the 22-year-old with kid gloves this season, he seems headed for a big-league debut in 2020 if he continues to blow away hitters in the high minors.

Abreu was promoted to the majors prior to Wednesday's game against the Indians, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Abreu has been primarily developed as a starting pitcher, but he is probably a better fit in the bullpen long term, given his shaky command. He should be able to sit in the mid-90s with his fastball in short stints and also owns a hammer curveball that could be a strikeout pitch at the highest level. Abreu posted a 4.86 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 92:38 K:BB in 70.1 innings across stops at High-A and Double-A. He takes the place of Ryan Pressly (knee), who was placed on the 10-day injured list.

The Astros placed Pressly (knee) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Since Pressly hasn't pitched since last Friday, he'll be eligible to return from the IL as soon as Aug. 6. The Astros had hoped that a few days off would help Pressly overcome the bruised knee that has troubled him lately, but the hard-throwing righty didn't show as much improvement as the club had hoped. Fortunately, the Astros haven't provided any indication that Pressly's injury is a long-term concern or something that will plague him for the remainder of the season, so he should immediately step back into the top setup role once reinstated from the IL. Pressly has been one of the majors' most dominant relievers this season, posting a 2.03 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 55:8 K:BB across 44.1 innings while chipping in 23 holds and three saves.

Leclerc could become the Rangers' closer after the team traded Chris Martin (back) to the Braves on Tuesday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Leclerc is the lone healthy and available arm at the back end of the bullpen. With Martin shipped to Atlanta and Shawn Kelley (biceps) on the injured list, Leclerc becomes the most logical option to close games. While his performance this season has not been closer-worthy, he has experience in the role and was extended for another four years during the offseason after a dominant 2018 as the primary ninth-inning option.

Lopez allowed two runs on six hits and four walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Tuesday.

Lopez wasn't in top form, but he worked around a lot of traffic on the bases to give the White Sox a chance. Unfortunately, they were facing the dominant version of Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who allowed one unearned run and fanned 11. Lopez appears to have righted himself since the break, posting a 2.05 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in four starts spanning 26.1 innings. He'll look to carry that momentum into his next start Sunday at Philadelphia.

VerHagen (1-2) took the loss against the Angels on Tuesday, hurling 4.2 innings and giving up four runs (three earned) on 10 hits and one walk while striking out two.

VerHagen was knocked around early and often, surrendering six singles and four extra-base hits, including a two-run homer to Matt Thaiss in the second inning. He failed to retire the side in order in any frame and struggled to sneak the ball by hitters, inducing only four swinging strikes. The 28-year-old has labored mightily in his two starts this season, giving up nine earned runs in 8.2 innings. Nonetheless, the thinness of the Tigers' rotation may allow him additional opportunities, with his next start lined up at home against the White Sox on Monday.