MLB Player News

Scherzer resumed playing catch Monday but said that he's still experiencing "lingering tightness" from the cortisone shot he received in his injured right thumb, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Scherzer is working his way back from thumb inflammation, an issue that first surfaced in spring training before he suffered an aggravation March 29 in his season debut. Monday marked the first time he threw since receiving two cortisone shots in his thumb last week, but he'll need more time to recover before his next throwing session. The Blue Jays have yet to provide a definitive timeline for Scherzer's return.

Taveras is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt versus the Cubs.

The switch-hitting Taveras has started in center field all nine times the Rangers have faced a right-hander this season, but he's been absent from the lineup both times they've encountered a lefty. Kevin Pillar is in center field and batting fifth Monday.

Pederson is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Cubs.

The Rangers are facing a left-hander in Justin Steele for just the second time this season, which means Pederson will begin the contest on the bench. Jonah Heim is starting at designated hitter and Kyle Higashioka is doing the catching for the series opener.

O'Neill is out of the lineup for Monday's contest in Arizona, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

It's a routine day of rest for O'Neill who is sporting a .954 OPS early on in his Orioles tenure. Baltimore is going with Ryan O'Hearn in right field, while Jordan Westburg gets a day at designated hitter and Ramon Urias handles third base.

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

Clement will head to the bench for the series opener after he picked up starts in four of the past five games. Though he'll likely have a regular spot in the lineup against lefties, Clement may have to settle for more of a part-time role against right-handed pitching while the Blue Jays often deploy Will Wagner at third base and rotate other players at designated hitter in those matchups.

Springer (back) will start in right field and bat fifth in Monday's game in Boston.

Springer didn't start Sunday's contest versus the Mets, but he appeared as a pinch runner and is back in the starting nine for Monday's series opener. The veteran outfielder is off to a scorching start at the plate, sporting a 1.075 OPS with one one home run in his first 10 tilts.

The Angels activated Johnson (personal) from the paternity list Monday.

Johnson was away for the weekend series against the Guardians, but he will rejoin the bullpen ahead of the Angels' series against the Rays that begins Tuesday. Michael Darrell-Hicks was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

Julien is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

The left-handed-hitting Julien had started in each of the Twins' last five games -- all against right-handed pitchers -- but he went just 3-for-14 with one walk against four strikeouts during that span. Julien will head to the bench Monday even as the Royals send a right-hander (Michael Lorenzen) to the mound, opening up a starting spot in the infield for Jose Miranda.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

Jeffers and Christian Vazquez continue to alternate turns behind the plate, with neither player having yet made two consecutive starts at catcher through the Twins' first 10 games. Expect that trend to persist throughout the season as manager Rocco Baldelli aims to keep both backstops fresh.

The Red Sox selected Stock's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Stock will provide the bullpen with some length following Sunday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. The 35-year-old made one start and one relief appearance at Worcester, tossing 8.1 scoreless frames with a 12:3 K:BB. Stock has not made an appearance at the big-league level since 2021.