MLB Player News

Hays (hamstring) will embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Hays has been cleared to take the next step in his recovery from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain that caused him to land on the 10-day injured list April 7. He'll head to Triple-A to get some in-game reps and is inching closer to returning to the majors, barring a setback.

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters that Imai's (arm) bullpen session Friday "looked good," and that the right-hander's next step is to embark on a rehab assignment, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Per McTaggart, Imai tossed 45 pitches during Friday's bullpen session. Imai has been steadily building up his workload since landing on the 15-day injured list April 13 due to right arm fatigue. It appears the 27-year-old is ready to take the next step in his recovery program by going on a rehab assignment, and he'll likely need at least a couple of outings without a setback before returning to the majors.

Wells isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros.

Wells will take a seat on the bench to begin Friday's contest after going just 1-for-12 with two walks and an RBI over his last four games. J.C. Escarra will pick up a start behind the dish as a result and bat seventh.

Kwan is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Kwan has just two hits over the past five games and will head to the bench Friday for only the second time this season. George Valera will shift to left field while Chase DeLauter mans right field, opening up the DH spot for Rhys Hoskins.

Fraley (shin) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Fraley will remain on the bench Friday for a second straight game after fouling a pitch off himself during Tuesday's game against the Reds. Jonny DeLuca is starting in right field and batting fifth against Minnesota righty and former teammate Taj Bradley.

General manager Ross Atkins said Friday that the Blue Jays are still discussing whether Yesavage (shoulder) will need another minor-league rehab start or if he'll be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his next start in the majors, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The right-hander has already made five rehab starts in the minor leagues, though in his last outing Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo, he covered just 2.1 frames and 64 pitches. The Blue Jays were hoping to get Yesavage built up to about 75 pitches before adding him to the big-league rotation, so he seems likely to need another game in the minors. If that's the case, the 22-year-old could still make his season debut as early as next weekend in Minnesota.

Pasquantino is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

Pasquantino went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a solo homer Wednesday against Baltimore to bust out of an 0-for-16 slump, and he'll hit the bench Friday for the first time this season. Salvador Perez will shift to first base while Elias Diaz picks up a start behind the plate.

Garcia (elbow) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

After leaving Wednesday's game against the Orioles due to right elbow soreness, Garcia said he expected to play in Friday's series opener versus the Halos. The 25-year-old will open the contest on the bench, however, despite coming off a team day off Thursday. Nick Loftin is instead starting at the hot corner and batting leadoff for Kansas City.

Holliday (wrist) said Friday that he underwent an MRI, CT scan and X-rays that came back clean and will be shut down from baseball activities for about a week, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's encouraging news for the 22-year-old second baseman after he exited Tuesday's rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk due to right hand discomfort, which is the same hand in which he underwent surgery for a fractured hamate bone in February. The shutdown period and subsequent rehab assignment will likely extend Holliday's absence at least another few weeks, but he at least seems to have avoided a serious setback.

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins announced Friday that Varland will be part of Toronto's closer committee with Jeff Hoffman being demoted as the club's primary closer, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Hoffman, who recorded 37 saves during the 2025 regular season, could still get some usage in the ninth inning, but Varland now appears to be the favorite for saves in Toronto. The right-hander's fantasy upside is still likely to be more limited than a traditional closer, however, with the Blue Jays expected to mix in other relievers for saves in addition to Varland and Hoffman. That being said, Varland has yet to allow an earned run and has a 19:3 K:BB across 13 innings this season, so he could take full reins of the job if he continues that level of dominance.