MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Scherzer (back/side) played catch Monday and could throw a bullpen session as soon as Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer threw a bullpen session as recently as last Monday, but the Blue Jays briefly shut him down a few days later after he experienced left side discomfort that was seemingly related to the back spasms that forced him to the injured list June 17. The right-hander received a cortisone shot Friday and has responded well to the injection, so he'll start the process of getting stretched back out. Scherzer could have a realistic shot at returning to the Toronto rotation at some point next week if he avoids any further setbacks while building up.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Garcia (elbow/neck/biceps) has resumed playing catch, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia has been on the shelf all season after requiring surgery last September to remove scar tissue around his right elbow, but biceps and neck nerve symptoms were cited as the reason behind the Blue Jays' decision to pull him off his rehab assignment last week. The right-hander appears to have responded well to several days of rest, prompting the Blue Jays to clear him to begin throwing again. Given that he's dealt with multiple setbacks this season -- Garcia was also pulled off a rehab assignment in May due to elbow soreness -- he could be built up slowly before the Blue Jays clear him to report back to a minor-league affiliate.

The Athletics placed Suarez on the paternity leave list Monday.

Suarez will likely miss the entirety of the series against the Dodgers before rejoining the Athletics bullpen for the weekend series versus the Marlins. The lefty has logged a 4.01 ERA and 24:6 K:BB over 24.2 innings for the Athletics this season.

The Athletics recalled Hernaiz from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Hernaiz is back in the majors and will give the Athletics depth in the infield after the team placed Jacob Wilson (thumb) on the 10-day injured list Monday. The 25-year-old posted a .606 OPS across 134 major-league plate appearances prior to being optioned to Las Vegas.

The Athletics recalled Morris from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Morris was rocked for nine runs over four-plus innings in his major-league debut earlier this month. The 24-year-old appears set to work in long relief during his upcoming stint with the big club.

The Athletics selected Kuroda-Grauer's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

In 75 games this season between Double-A Midland and Las Vegas, Kuroda-Grauer has slashed .323/.367/.478 with seven home runs, 15 stolen bases and a 21:29 BB:K. The 23-year-old has mostly played shortstop and second base, but he also has experience at third base and has played a bit in the outfield, as well. Kuroda-Grauer will start at second base and bat ninth Monday versus the Dodgers in his major-league debut.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Stanton (calf) has restarted a running program and will take live at-bats against rehabbing left-hander Max Fried (elbow) on Tuesday, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

Stanton paused his running program after experiencing a setback with his strained right calf June 11, so the Yankees could have the 36-year-old ramp up more deliberately this time around before he starts sprinting at full speed. Since Stanton has been on the shelf since April 28 due to the calf injury, he'll presumably need to complete a minor-league rehab assignment before making his return from the 10-day injured list. Stanton appears unlikely to rejoin the New York lineup until after the All-Star break.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Fried (elbow) will throw a two-inning simulated game Tuesday, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

The Yankees are targeting Fried for around 30 pitches while he takes the mound and faces hitters for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list May 16 due to a left elbow bone bruise. Fried doesn't look like he'll have enough time to get fully stretched out before the All-Star break, but a late-July return from the IL could be in play if he steers clear of any setbacks as he builds up his pitch count via sim games and/or minor-league rehab starts.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Monday that Montero will move to the bullpen for the time being, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Montero did nothing to lose his spot, as he tossed seven shutout innings versus the Astros his last time out and holds a 3.34 ERA in 15 starts this season. However, Jack Flaherty returned from the injured list over the weekend, and the Tigers will roll with a five-man rotation for now. Montero should eventually be asked to make more starts, but for now he'll likely be used in long relief.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Pena is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins due to left leg discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pena has missed time this season with right hamstring issues, but it's his other leg that's bothering him this time. He's being evaluated by team doctors, and more could be known about his condition later Monday. Nick Allen (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day injured list Monday and will start at shortstop and bat eighth as a replacement in the lineup for Pena.