MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Francis to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Francis tossed two scoreless innings in relief Saturday and will move down to the minors in favor of a fresh arm in left-hander Brandon Eisert, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. The right-hander had been struggling prior to Saturday's outing, allowing seven earned runs over his previous five frames.

Verlander (neck) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander used his entire arsenal in the session and finished the bullpen without incident, per McTaggart. He had originally been expected to toss 10-to-15 pitches, so all signs are that he's trending in a positive direction. A timeframe for Verlander's return isn't yet clear, but it is possible that he could rejoin Houston's rotation before the end of July.

Baez (back) is not currently slated to be placed on the injured list, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Baez isn't starting Sunday against the Dodgers after being removed early from Saturday's contest due to a lower-back injury. He's available only in an emergency situation Sunday, per Jason Beck of MLB.com. However, manager A.J. Hinch described Baez's outlook as "encouraging" and said that the veteran infielder is in better spirits, and it appears that he may be good to go when play resumes Friday following the All-Star break.

Malloy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Malloy will get a breather in the Tigers' final game before the All-Star break after he had started in each of the team's last five contests while going 5-for-18 with a home run, a triple, two walks, three runs and two RBI. Riley Greene will get a day out of the outfield and will serve as Detroit's designated hitter while Malloy takes a seat.

Rogers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Rogers is on the bench for the third time in four games to close out of the All-Star break. Carson Kelly will get the nod behind the plate once again Sunday, but the Tigers' catching situation remains fluid. Manager A.J. Hinch will likely ride the hotter bat of the two, and right now, Kelly looks to be the favored option. Kelly will head into Sunday's contest with a seven-game hitting streak.

Canha (wrist) said Sunday that he will rest and do treatment over the All-Star break and hopes to be able to play in Detroit's first game of the second half next Friday in Toronto, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Canha exited Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning win over the Dodgers early due to a sore wrist and isn't in the lineup for Sunday's series finale, though Jason Beck of MLB.com notes that the veteran is available in an emergency situation. Canha doesn't look like he'll need a trip to the injured list, especially with the extra rest afforded by the All-Star break.

Brown will start at first base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Though he'll likely be excluded from the lineup when the Athletics face southpaws, the lefty-hitting Brown seems to have taken on a regular role as the team's primary first baseman following his promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday. He's now started in three of the Athletics' ensuing four games following his promotion and has gone 2-for-8 with a double and an RBI. Brown's run of steady playing time will likely come to an end once Tyler Soderstrom (wrist) is ready to return from the injured list.

Frazier will start at third base and bat leadoff in Sunday's game in Boston.

Though he'll stick in the lineup for the fifth time in six games as the Royals' leadoff man, Frazier doesn't yet look to be a fixture in the Kansas City starting nine. He's turned in a .235 on-base percentage in his previous four turns atop the lineup, and he's also made starts at four different positions (third base, second base, right field and designated hitter) during that stretch. Instead, Frazier's inclusion in the lineup appears to be a means of Royals manager Matt Quatraro giving rest days to regulars such as Maikel Garcia, who will take a seat Sunday in the series finale.

Garcia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

After starting in six of the Royals' last seven contests, Garcia will get a breather Sunday in the club's final game before the All-Star break. Utility man Adam Frazier will enter the lineup in Garcia's stead, occupying third base and batting leadoff.

Otanez, who was removed from the Athletics' 11-5 loss to the Phillies on Saturday after taking a line drive off his pitching arm in the eighth inning, is dealing with a forearm bruise in the aftermath, the Associated Press reports.

The right-handed reliever had just been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day due to Luis Medina's (elbow) placement on the injured list. Otanez's injury is muscular in nature, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Otanez isn't likely to be used in Sunday's series finale in Philadelphia but should be ready to go coming out of the All-Star break.