MLB Player News

Garver is not in the Mariners' starting lineup against the Athletics on Monday.

Garver will get a breather after going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's series finale against the Royals. Jhonny Pereda will start behind home plate for the Mariners on Monday and bat eighth.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Barger (elbow) is "probably still a couple days away from starting throwing," Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The club had expressed hope that Barger could do some throwing Sunday, but Schneider said Barger's recovery from right elbow inflammation has "been a little slower" than anticipated. He's already been sidelined for more than two weeks, and with his recovery inching along there's no timetable at this point for Barger's return.

Mantiply (knee) is expected to resume throwing within the next couple of days, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Mantiply landed on the 15-day injured list this past Tuesday due to left knee inflammation. He's ready to take the next step in his recovery program, and once he gets a couple of bullpen sessions under his belt, the Blue Jays will have a better sense of when Mantiply can returned from the IL.

Scherzer (forearm) is slated to face live hitters in Toronto on Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer landed on the 15-day injured list in late April due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation, and he's also been dealing with tight thumb issue. He's progressed enough in his recovery to throw live batting practice, and the Blue Jays should have a better sense of the veteran right-handers recovery timeline following Wednesday's workout.

Brown (shoulder) will make his next rehab start this weekend at Triple-A Sugar Land, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brown opened his rehab assignment Sunday with Double-A Corpus Christie, when he struck out five batters while allowing one hit across two scoreless innings. He'll make his next rehab start in Triple-A and is aiming to be activated from the 60-day injured list in mid-June, per McTaggart. Brown is in the final stages of his recovery from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain that landed him on the IL in early April.

Smith (illness) is expected to return to Globe Life Field this week, but it's unclear when he'll be ready to ramp up his baseball activities, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Smith was first sidelined with a right glute strain and then a wrist problem, but more recently he was diagnosed with viral meningitis. He was in the hospital for several days with the illness but is now on the mend. However, it could be several weeks before Smith is ready to return to the Rangers' active roster.

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Monday that Loperfido (quadriceps) will pause his rehab assignment until Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot during Sunday's game with Double-A Corpus Christie, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Loperfido started his rehab assignment in Double-A on Sunday, when he went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts and a hit-by-pitch. He sustained a foot injury during that contest, but it doesn't appear to be a serious issue as he's expected to be back in action Wednesday. Loperfido continues to recover from a right quadriceps strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list in mid-April.

Alvarez (back) will start at designated hitter and bat third in Monday's game versus the Rangers.

Alvarez was pulled from Saturday's contest against the Cubs due to back spasms and then didn't play in Sunday's series finale, though the slugger contended it was unrelated to the back issue and it was merely a scheduled day off. Either way, he's back in there for Monday's tilt.

The Blue Jays placed Cease on the 15-day injured list Monday with a mild left hamstring strain, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Cease had to be pulled from Sunday's outing versus the Pirates after tweaking his hamstring. The strain being deemed minor should give him a chance to return around the time he's eligible, but the Blue Jays will need someone to fill Cease's spot in the rotation for at least one turn.

Guerrero (elbow) is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

Guerrero was pulled from Sunday's contest versus the Pirates after being struck on the inside of the right elbow by a pitch. X-rays came back negative, but Guerrero will receive at least one day of out of the lineup to recuperate. Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, Vlad Jr. could be available off the bench, seemingly giving him a good chance to return to the lineup Tuesday. Lenyn Sosa is handling first base and batting ninth for the Blue Jays in Monday's series opener.