MLB Player News

The Astros claimed Velazquez off waivers from the Cardinals on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Velazquez had been booted off the Cardinals' 40-man roster this past weekend after slashing .216/.289/.432 with four home runs over 83 plate appearances. The 27-year-old is a candidate to get some starts in the outfield against left-handed pitching.

Monasterio is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

On Sunday, interim manager Chad Tracy told Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald that he planned to give Monasterio a day off in the near future, and the skipper settled on Monday's series opener in Toronto for giving the shortstop a breather. Nick Sogard will slide over from second base to replace Monasterio, who had produced a robust .344/.408/.492 slash line with one home run, one stolen base, 14 RBI and nine runs while starting in each of the Red Sox's previous 17 games.

Yoshida (illness) will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

After sitting out the previous two games while recovering from a bug that had been making its way around the Red Sox clubhouse, Yoshida has made enough progress in his recovery from the ailment to rejoin the lineup. The Red Sox will hope that the abbreviated absence won't disrupt Yoshida's rhythm at the plate; over his last seven games, he's gone 10-for-27 with a home run, three doubles, two walks, seven RBI and five runs.

The Blue Jays designated MacIver for assignment Monday.

Acquired from the Rangers in late April, MacIver didn't end up seeing any playing time at the big-league level with the Blue Jays during his time on the 40-man roster. The Blue Jays will expose the 29-year-old catcher to waivers after he produced a .270/.344/.459 slash line with seven home runs and four steals in 60 games at Triple-A Buffalo.

The Blue Jays optioned Schneider to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Schneider has been unable to get on track this season, sporting an ugly .142/.295/.274 batting line across 61 contests with the big club. Charles McAdoo is absorbing Schneider's roster spot and could also slide into Schneider's slot as the short side of a platoon in left field.

The Blue Jays optioned Estrada to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Estrada had pitched each of the last three days, so his spot on the roster will be filled by a fresh bullpen arm. The 27-year-old has permitted seven runs (six earned) with an 8:8 K:BB over 12 innings during his time with the big club in 2026.

The Blue Jays recalled McAdoo from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday. He'll start at third base and bat seventh in the Blue Jays' series opener versus the Red Sox.

Toronto optioned Davis Schneider to Triple-A to open up a spot on the active roster for McAdoo. Like Schneider before him, McAdoo protects to serve as a utility player and will likely see most of his playing time against left-handed pitching. McAdoo was previously up with the Blue Jays for about three weeks earlier this season, appearing in eight games while going 4-for-25 with one home run, three RBI and two runs.

The Blue Jays selected Woods Richardson's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Woods Richardson was removed from the 40-man roster in late June, but he's earned another opportunity by logging a 1.65 ERA and 14:6 K:BB over 16.1 innings across his last four appearances with Buffalo. The righty will likely be used in a long relief role.

Clement is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Clement will head to the bench for the first time since June 24 and just the eighth time all season while the Blue Jays hand Josh Smith a start at second base in his stead. Despite being a mainstay in the Toronto lineup all season, Clement has delivered mediocre counting numbers (49 runs, 39 RBI, nine home runs and four steals). He continues to provide most of his fantasy value in the batting-average category, with his .284 mark good for 21st among all qualified hitters this season.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Kirk is receiving a routine day of rest during the series opener versus Boston. Brandon Valenzuela will grab the start at catcher and will bat ninth for the Blue Jays.