MLB Player News

The Blue Jays placed Burr on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right shoulder inflammation, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Burr was unable to make any appearances in the Grapefruit League on account of the shoulder issue, so his move to the IL was fully expected. The right-hander will be eligible to come off the IL on April 8, but he'll likely need more time beyond that before the Blue Jays deem him ready to join the big-league bullpen.

Rice will start at designated hitter and bat eighth in Thursday's opener versus the Brewers.

The Yankees will use Trent Grisham in center field, Cody Bellinger in right field and Aaron Judge at designated hitter some days until Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) returns. However, Rice should get the bulk of the DH duties versus righties, and he'll draw into the lineup Opening Day against Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.

The Blue Jays placed Swanson (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Swanson is working his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm. He was cleared to resume his throwing program last week, but he'll likely need at least a couple of weeks to fully ramp up and complete a rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list. Once healthy, Swanson projects to serve as a setup arm or middle-innings option in the Toronto bullpen.

The Royals selected Biggio's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

In addition to winning a spot on the Opening Day roster, Biggio will draw a start at first base and will bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Guardians while Vinnie Pasquantino is limited to the designated-hitter spot. Biggio will fill a reserve role once Pasquantino is fully healthy.

The Blue Jays placed Varsho (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

Varsho produced a .994 OPS over 37 plate appearances as a designated hitter in spring training, but because much of his value is derived from his defense, the Blue Jays will stash him on the IL to begin the season while he waits to gain clearance to play center field. Though he's still on the mend from September surgery on his right shoulder, Varsho recently increased his throwing distance to 120 feet, so he may not need much time to complete his throwing progression before making his 2025 debut. His IL placement is retroactive to Monday, so he'll be eligible to debut as soon as April 4.

Garcia is absent from the lineup for Thursday's opener against the Guardians.

The Royals have Vinnie Pasquantino at designated hitter as he protects a hamstring injury, and the domino effect has Michael Massey at second base, Jonathan India at third base and Garcia on the bench. Garcia should be in the lineup most days once Pasquantino is healthy, but he'll be the odd man out Opening Day.

Pasquantino (hamstring) will start at designated hitter and bat third in Thursday's season opener versus the Guardians.

Pasquantino suffered a Grade 1-plus right hamstring strain just five days ago, but he made enough improvement that the Royals are comfortable with him at least playing in a non-defensive role on Opening Day. Cavan Biggio will occupy Pasquantino's usual position at first base.

The Blue Jays selected Straw's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

After being acquired from the Guardians in January, Straw was able to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder due to Daulton Varsho needing more time to recover from shoulder surgery. Straw is unlikely to see extensive action with Toronto, and he could be at risk of being booted off the 40-man roster once Varsho is activated from the 10-day injured list.

The Blue Jays selected Barnes' contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Despite attending camp as a non-roster invitee and posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB over 5.1 innings in the Grapefruit League, Barnes was able to win a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen. He'll likely be ticketed for lower-leverage work.

The Blue Jays selected Roden's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Roden will start in right field and bat ninth in Thursday's opener against the Orioles. The Blue Jays are going with an outfield of Anthony Santander, George Springer and Roden on Opening Day. Though Roden may be in line for regular playing time versus right-handed pitching to begin the season, he could be at risk of losing out on starts once Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is ready to return from the injured list.