MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

The left-hander followed opener Braydon Fisher against the A's on Saturday and picked up the win after firing 4.2 scoreless innings, but he won't stick in the majors with Erik Swanson (forearm) returning from the injured list Sunday. Lucas has been boom-or-bust in his five MLB appearances this season, as he's covered 15 frames in three scoreless outings but has surrendered 14 runs in his other two starts.

Rutschman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Rutschman appears to be getting some routine rest in an afternoon game after he started each of Baltimore's last three contests. Maverick Handley will get the nod behind the dish.

The Blue Jays reinstated Swanson (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The right-hander has been sidelined for the first couple months of the season due to carpal tunnel syndrome in his right forearm, but he's ready to rejoin the Blue Jays after a six-outing rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo. Swanson had a 5.03 ERA across 45 appearances last season, but he recorded four saves and 29 holds with a 2.97 ERA during the regular season in 2023 and could return to a high-leverage role if he can regain that form.

The Astros selected Melton's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. He'll start in center field and bat eighth in the Astros' series finale versus the Rays, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Regarded as one of the Astros' top prospects, Melton receives his first big-league call-up after slashing .254/.371/.508 with two home runs, three stolen bases and a 21.4 percent strikeout rate over 70 plate appearances with Sugar Land. Melton's ability to play all three outfield spots could allow him to see at least semi-regular playing time, especially while the team has the designated hitter spot open with Yordan Alvarez (hand) on the injured list.

Trout is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Trout will get a pre-planned day off after going 4-for-9 with a double, an RBI and a run in two games since being activated from the injured list Friday. Though Trout has experienced no setbacks with his knee, manager Ron Washington noted that the 33-year-old isn't yet ready to play right field and will continue to be deployed as the Angels' designated hitter for the remainder of their current road trip, which ends Wednesday in Boston. Trout is expected to resume outfield workouts when the Angels return to Anaheim, but it's unclear how soon he might be ready to play defense.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Jonah Heim is back behind the plate Sunday, but he's gone 2-for-23 with no walks and 10 strikeouts over his last eight games and seems to be losing his grip on the Rangers' No. 1 backstop job. Higashioka had started the previous four games -- three at catcher, one at designated hitter -- and went 3-for-11 during that stretch to bring his batting average up to .233 on the season. Though he'll be out of the lineup for the series finale, Higashioka may have at least moved into a timeshare with Heim at catcher.

Garcia remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Garcia will get a third consecutive day off as the Rangers give him an extended break after a rough start to the season. Per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, manager Bruce Bochy hasn't indicated that Garcia will be removed from his everyday role in right field, as the Rangers are hoping that the time off will allow the two-time All-Star to make some adjustments at the plate and find his best form. Over his last 15 games, Garcia has slashed .173/.218/.346 and has struck out a 34.5 percent clip. Sam Haggerty will pick up another start in right field Sunday in place of Garcia.

Crawford (knee) is expected to begin a rehab assignment this week, MLB.com reports.

Crawford, who threw a four-inning live batting practice session Saturday, will move on to a multi-start rehab assignment. He could be back by mid-June -- with Tanner Houck (elbow) right behind him -- at which point the Red Sox will have some decisions to make. Existing rotation members Brayan Bello (6.11 ERA in last four starts) and Lucas Giolito (4.78 in six starts) may be in danger of losing their jobs, while Richard Fitts just came off the IL himself.

Ward went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a loss to the Guardians on Saturday.

Ward built upon an early Angels lead with a blast to center field in the second inning. The long ball gave the 31-year-old 10 homers across 28 contests in the month of May after he went deep six times over 28 games to begin the campaign. Ward is up to 38 RBI in 2025, more than halfway to the career-high mark of 75 he set last season.

The Blue Jays recalled Schneider from Triple-A Buffalo, and he will start at second base and bat seventh Sunday against the Athletics.

The 26-year-old will fill the roster spot of Daulton Varsho, who landed on the injured list due to a hamstring strain. Schneider had a .625 OPS in 135 big-league games in 2024 and has gone 1-for-15 in 10 games with Toronto this season.