MLB Player News

The Blue Jays transferred Barger (back/elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday.

Barger initially landed on the IL back in May due to elbow inflammation, but he was shut down in late June due to a stress reaction in his back and hasn't yet resumed baseball activities. Since he's already been on the shelf for more than two months and is without a timeline for a return, his move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural. The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Rudy Martin, whom the Blue Jays claimed off waivers from the Orioles on Thursday.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Thursday that Scherzer's (back/thumb) next start could be in the majors, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer struck out seven over five perfect innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. He had been slated for one more rehab outing, but the righty's performance Wednesday -- along with the Blue Jays losing long reliever Patrick Corbin (teres major) to injury -- could push up Scherzer's timeline. Scherzer threw only 56 pitches Wednesday, so if he does start Monday against the Nationals, he would be facing a restricted workload. The 41-year-old has missed more than a month with back and thumb problems.

Schlittler is now slated to start Friday in Philadelphia, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Will Warren was originally scheduled to make the start Friday, but he was deployed for two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Pittsburgh. Consequently, Schlittler -- who had previously been penciled in to start Sunday -- is moving up a couple of days, though he'll still be operating on a normal four days of rest. Schlittler will be looking for better results than in his first start of the second half, when he gave up three runs over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Dodgers.

Warren earned a hold in the second game of a doubleheader against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Warren had been scheduled to start Tuesday, but that game was rained out. Max Fried returned from a lengthy absence to start the second game of Wednesday's twin bill while Gerrit Cole started the matinee, leaving Warren to make his first relief appearance of the season. The right-hander had been penciled in as New York's starter Friday for the opening game of a series in Philadelphia, but the Yankees have since shifted him to Sunday, with Cam Schlittler now scheduled to take the mound Friday and Ryan Weathers following Saturday, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

The Blue Jays claimed Martin off waivers from the Orioles on Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Martin was traded from the Royals to the Orioles last week and is now on the move again without having played in any games in the Baltimore organization. The 30-year-old outfielder has slashed .284/.414/.441 with eight home runs and 33 stolen bases between the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season. Martin will presumably report to Triple-A Buffalo.

Mullins is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Toronto.

Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber has been pummeled by righties this season (1.140 OPS), so the lefty-swinging Mullins will begin the game on the bench. Righty bat Jonny DeLuca is grabbing a start in center field for Tampa Bay.

Walls (fingers) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Walls hyperextended the middle and ring fingers on his left hand on a slide into second base during Wednesday's contest. He was able to stay in and finish that game but will miss at least one start. Ben Williamson is handling shortstop in Thursday's series finale.

Varsho is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rays.

Righty Casey Legumina is opening for the Rays before lefty Ian Seymour handles bulk relief, so the lefty-swinging Varsho will begin the festivities on the bench. Varsho -- who has gone just 8-for-56 at the plate in July -- will yield center field to Myles Straw.

Gimenez is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Rays.

The Rays have a left-handed bulk reliever in Ian Seymour slated to pitch Thursday, hence the reasoning behind Gimenez taking a seat. Ernie Clement will slide over to shortstop, and Luis Urias will grab a start at second base.

The Blue Jays placed Corbin on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left teres major strain.

Manager John Schneider revealed Corbin has been dealing with the injury since before the All-Star break, and the lefty will be shut down for "multiple weeks" after an MRI showed a strain, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca. Corbin has been pitching in a long-relief role in July.