MLB Player News

Clement is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs in part due to lingering left hip soreness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's something Clement has been playing through for a while, and the Blue Jays finally found an opportune time to rest the infielder amidst a 16-day stretch with no off days. Clement should be considered day-to-day. Davis Schneider is handling second base Friday.

Loftin went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in Thursday's 14-6 win over St. Louis.

With Maikel Garcia nursing a hand injury, Loftin got the start at the hot corner and ripped a pair of doubles that both left his bat at over 100 mph. His two-bagger in the fourth inning plated a pair of runs. The 27-year-old has been a hit machine of late, logging multiple hits in three of the past four games. On the year, the utility man is slashing .245/.348/.400 with 14 extra-base hits including one homer, 20 RBI and 14 runs scored across 133 plate appearances. Should Garcia continue to be held out or ultimately require a stint on the injured list, Loftin stands to carry the load at third base.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that "all signs point towards" Bieber (elbow) making his season debut Monday against the Astros, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays are holding off making it official until Bieber throws a bullpen session Saturday, but as long as he doesn't have any hiccups with that throwing session he will take the ball in Monday's series opener at Rogers Centre. Bieber would also line up for a second start that weekend at home versus the Rangers. Coming back from right elbow inflammation, Bieber has collected a 6.88 ERA and 14:5 K:BB over 17 innings covering five rehab starts. He threw 80 pitches in his last outing, so he's close to being fully stretched out.

Marte went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 14-6 win over St. Louis.

With left-hander Matthew Liberatore getting the start for St. Louis, Marte was in the lineup in right field and made the most of the opportunity, logging his second three-hit effort of the campaign. It was highlighted by an RBI double down the right-field line to cap off a six-run second inning for Kansas City. Across 91 plate appearances this season, the veteran outfielder is hitting .277/.330/.361 with a homer, four doubles, six RBI and eight runs scored.

Caglianone went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 14-6 win over St. Louis.

Caglianone extended Kansas City's lead in the fourth inning with a line-drive homer to the opposite field. The 23-year-old has seen more action at first base of late with Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) sidelined, and Caglianone is raking in June, batting .356 with four homers over 16 games. This surge has elevated his season slash line to .266/.338/.439 with nine homers, 22 RBI, 30 runs and three stolen bases across 70 contests.

Collins went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored and a steal in Thursday's 14-6 victory over the Cardinals.

Collins played a role in a six-run second inning for the Royals with an RBI double. His steal of second base in the seventh inning marked the left fielder's first theft since May 17 and fourth of the campaign. Overall, Collins is slashing .221/.336/.308 with three homers, nine doubles, 21 RBI and 27 runs across 67 games.

Clement is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

It marks the first time since May 19 that Clement has been provided with a day of rest. The Blue Jays will roll with Davis Schneider at second base as they kick off a series on the north side of Chicago.

Lukes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

Getting the start in center field while Daulton Varsho (wrist) remains sidelined, Lukes took Sonny Gray deep in the seventh inning to give the Blue Jays a 3-0 lead. Lukes has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, and over 15 contests in June he's slashing .327/.373/.455 with both his homers on the season, along with five RBI and seven runs.

Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

The first baseman launched the first pitch he saw from Sonny Gray over the Green Monster in the first inning, giving the Blue Jays a quick lead in an eventual 4-3 victory. It was Guerrero's first long ball since May 17, snapping a 24-game drought, and just his fourth of the year -- a concerning total for a player who averaged 31.8 homers over the prior five seasons. There's still plenty of time left in the campaign for Guerrero to go on a tear and get his power numbers back to their usual level, and Thursday's blast might have been the first sign a summer surge is on its way.

The Rangers outrighted Otanez to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Otanez cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization as relief depth. The 28-year-old holds a 6.15 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 37:25 K:BB in 26.1 innings this season with Round Rock.