MLB Player News

Stephenson's (shoulder) removal from a rehab appearance over the weekend was due to right elbow soreness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson issued a four-pitch walk to the only batter he faced in his first rehab outing before being lifted. He has been out all season with a shoulder injury and now has an elbow problem to contend with. The reliever will undergo testing before more is known about a diagnosis and potential timetable.

Rodriguez will start Friday against the Padres, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rodriguez impressed in his major-league debut Saturday against the Rockies, allowing run run with six strikeouts over 3.2 innings. While the right-hander will stick in the Blue Jays' rotation for now, the team will surely need to curtail his workload eventually. Rodriguez didn't pitch at all in 2023 and was used as a reliever in Japan in 2022.

Valdez (elbow) played some light catch Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He had been slated to play catch Tuesday, but evidently the decision was made to move it up a day. Valdez is on the injured list with left elbow inflammation but is hopeful that he can return when first eligible April 23. It's possible, though he certainly has more work to do first before he can reach that goal.

Swanson (forearm) is likely to be activated from the injured list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Swanson has been out all season with right forearm inflammation but is ready to roll after making three rehab appearances. He will be in line for setup duties ahead of closer Jordan Romano (elbow), who is also on track for activation Tuesday.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Romano (elbow) will be activated soon and will immediately regain his closer job, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The strong indication seems to be that Romano will be activated Tuesday. Romano retired just three of the eight batters he faced during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo, but it does not appear Schneider will hesitate to use him in a save situation right away. The closer has been out with right elbow inflammation.

Bregman (illness) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Monday's contest versus Atlanta.

Bregman missed three games due to illness but is feeling up to participating in Monday's festivities. It's been a slow start to the season for the veteran third baseman, as he'll carry a .241/.305/.333 batting line with no home runs into play Monday.

Langford is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest in Detroit.

It looks to be a regular day of rest for the rookie. Langford is still looking for his first home run, but an 11:6 K:BB over his first 68 plate appearances shows that he hasn't been overmatched by big-league pitching. Evan Carter is in left field and Travis Jankowski is in the designated hitter spot Monday.

Seager is not in the lineup for Monday's game in Detroit.

It's a routine day off for Seager, who has now started 14 of 17 games so far this season. The Rangers are going with Josh Smith at shortstop and Ezequiel Duran at third base.

Perez (groin/hip) is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Perez departed Sunday's game against the Mets with left groin and hip injuries. Catcher Logan Porter has joined the Royals in Chicago as part of the taxi squad, per Rogers, in case Perez's injury winds up being more of a day-to-day situation. The Royals are expected to provide more clarity on Perez later Monday. Freddy Fermin is getting the start at catcher against the White Sox.

The White Sox selected Nastrini's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Nastrini is set to make his major-league debut Monday against the Royals. The 24-year-old posted a 7.71 ERA in two starts with Charlotte, although that came with a 13:3 K:BB across seven innings. Nastrini was also impacted by an illness in his first start with Charlotte before pitching better his next time out, allowing three runs (two earned) with an 8:1 K:BB in four frames. He got his pitch count to 78 in that outing, so he should be get for 90 or so Monday.