MLB Player News

Jones is batting sixth as the designated hitter in his major-league debut Friday against the Brewers.

The 24-year-old was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier Friday and is expected to see opportunities against right-handed pitching due to Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) being on the shelf. Jones has continued to showcase his power and speed at Triple-A early this year with 11 homers and seven steals in 33 games, but his 32.4 percent strikeout rate remains a red flag in his profile.

Gray (forearm) will play catch Friday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Gray was removed from Thursday's game versus the Yankees after being struck in the forearm by a comebacker. His exit was deemed precautionary, however, and it's not expected to be an issue moving forward. Gray has yielded just one run but has a 6:6 K:BB over seven frames with Texas.

Rice (hand) will start at first base and bat second in Friday's game versus the Brewers.

Rice missed each of the last four contests while recovering from a left hand contusion, but he's ready to go Friday as the Yankees begin a road trip. The 27-year-old leads all of baseball with a 1.214 OPS this season.

Teel (hamstring) will run the bases this weekend before beginning a rehab assignment next week if all goes well, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Teel's recovery from a right hamstring strain has come along slowly, but he's poised for a big step forward this weekend. Given how much time the young catcher has missed, Teel figures to require at least a handful of rehab contests before rejoining the active roster for the White Sox. When he does make it back, he'll be in line for the lion's share of the playing time behind the dish.

Bieber (elbow) will face live hitters Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It will be the first time he's faced hitters since the World Series last year, as Bieber has been working his way back from right elbow inflammation that's nagged at him since last fall. Bieber will likely face hitters multiple times before being cleared to embark upon a rehab assignment. He still has lots of boxes to check, but Bieber could be ready to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation in June if he continues progressing.

Lukes (hamstring) has begun a running progression, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's a big step as he works his way back from a left hamstring strain. Lukes has missed the last two weeks of action and might require a short rehab assignment before returning.

Manager John Schneider said Barger (ankle) is traveling to Toronto on Friday and will "most likely" be activated off the injured list Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barger was expected to come off the IL for Friday's series opener versus the Angels, but it appears the Blue Jays will give him a day to settle in before returning him to the active roster. The 26-year-old went 1-for-19 with three walks and six strikeouts in eight games prior to landing on the shelf. Barger is likely to take on a significant role now that he's healthy, with most of his starts likely to come in the outfield.

Scherzer was given a cortisone shot in his injured right forearm and will be shut down from throwing for five days, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

On the 15-day injured list since late April with forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation, Scherzer has recovered from his ankle issue but has had the forearm problem linger. The hope is that the injection clears things up and he can ramp his throwing back up. More will be known regarding a timetable once Scherzer is able to throw off a mound again free and easy.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that an MRI on Berrios' right elbow showed inflammation and "small changes to that initial injury with the elbow," Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Berrios had previously been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his elbow. He will visit Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday for an additional exam before the next steps are determined. Berrios had been closing in on a return before his recent setback, but his status now is very much up in the air.

The Orioles recalled Gibson from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

The right-hander was briefly up with Baltimore for a spot start last weekend and will now rejoin the major-league club with Cade Povich (shoulder) landing on the injured list. Gibson is one of the organization's top prospects and gave up three runs across 4.2 innings during his big-league debut. With Trevor Rogers (illness) nearing his return from the IL, Gibson could be available out of the bullpen Friday versus the Athletics, according to Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com.