MLB Player News

The Blue Jays are hopeful Barger (elbow) will resume hitting and throwing Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barger dealt with bilateral discomfort in both ankles early in April before landing on the IL with a left ankle sprain April 7. He returned May 9, but then on May 10, right elbow soreness required an MRI and he was placed on the IL with inflammation May 11. If he gets the green light to resume baseball activities, it might not be long before he embarks on another rehab assignment, but so far this has been a lost season for Barger.

Meyers isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

After going 2-for-11 at the plate in his first three games back from the injured list, Meyers will get a chance to rest Saturday while Brice Matthews starts in center field.

Dezenzo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Cubs.

Dezenzo will sit on the bench for a second consecutive game after going 5-for-19 with a walk and seven strikeouts over his last six contests. While he rests, Zach Cole, Brice Matthews and Cam Smith will start across the outfield for Houston.

Vazquez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Vazquez will get a day off Saturday after going 2-for-4 with a homer and an additional RBI during Friday's win. Cesar Salazar will replace him behind the dish and bat ninth.

Leasure was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Leasure, 27, had been at Triple-A for a little over two weeks and has only thrown 4.1 innings in the minors this year. He has a 6.06 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 16.1 innings out of the big-league bullpen this season.

Hicks was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain.

Hicks had given up five earned runs while walking four and striking out three over two innings in his last three appearances. The move is retroactive to May 21. Jordan Leasure was summoned from Triple-A to take Hicks' place in the bullpen.

Keaschall is not in Saturday's lineup against the Red Sox.

This is the fourth time in the last seven games Keaschall has opened the game on the bench. He is hitting .268 with a .414 OBP, zero home runs and three steals in 18 games this month. Orlando Arcia will man the keystone against lefty Jovani Moran.

Sogard started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's 8-6 loss to Minnesota.

Sogard made a fifth straight start and has hit safely in all five, going 6-for-17 with three walks, two RBI and a run scored. He's finding opportunities in the infield -- whether due to an injury or underperformance -- between shortstop, second base and third base. The Red Sox plan to transition Marcelo Mayer to shortstop in light of Trevor Story undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia, which leaves Sogard as part of a rotation at second and third.

Holliday went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, one walk and two runs scored in Friday's 7-4 win over the Tigers.

After batting seventh and then eighth in the order in his first two games of the season Tuesday and Wednesday, Holliday was in the nine hole Friday. He logged his first two hits of the 2026 campaign, singling and scoring in the third inning before popping a two-run homer off Jack Flaherty in the fourth. Through three contests, Holliday is 2-for-7 at the plate with a 1:3 BB:K across eight plate appearances.

Kirk (thumb) will be evaluated by the Blue Jays training staff this weekend as he prepares to take the next step in his rehab, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The backstop has been catching bullpens and taking live BP at the team's spring training complex in Dunedin. Assuming Kirk's surgically repaired thumb checks out OK, he could be cleared for a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since April 3, and his return to the big-league lineup appears to be drawing close. Brandon Valenzuela and Tyler Heineman will continue to split duties behind the plate until Kirk is activated from the IL.