MLB Player News

Velazquez is slashing .344/.432/.594 with two home runs, one steal and 4:4 K:BB in eight games for Double-A Akron.

Velazquez has a 174 wRC+ as a 20-year-old at Double-A, picking up where he left off last year -- he had a 188 wRC+ in 28 games at Double-A in 2025. Given his extreme command of the zone and impactful power, Velazquez shouldn't be waiting long before getting a bump to Triple-A Columbus. He played 12 games in left field last year, but Velazquez has only started at first base so far this season.

De Vries went 3-for-5 with two solo home runs Sunday for Double-A Midland.

The 19-year-old switch hitter logged a 1.183 OPS with three home runs and four steals in 47 at-bats in big-league camp this spring. He also finished 2025 on fire at Double-A and was the most feared hitter in the Texas League playoffs, so the expectation is for De Vries to force a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas sooner than later. De Vries has a six-game hitting streak and a 170 wRC+ through nine games to start the year.

Pepiot (hip) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Marc Topkin of Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pepiot's side session came two days after he tossed two innings of live batting practice. Assuming he checked out fine following Sunday's workout, Pepiot could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment later this week. Since Pepiot hasn't pitched in a game setting since March 17 before he was shelved prior to Opening Day due to right hip inflammation, he may need more than one rehab start before the Rays bring him back from the injured list.

Varland struck out the side in a perfect seventh inning during Sunday's loss to the Twins.

It wasn't a particularly high-leverage situation as the Blue Jays were down 8-1 when he took the mound, but Varland still fired 11 of 16 pitches for strikes in another impressive outing. Through eight appearances and nine innings to begin the year, the right-hander has a 0.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB with two holds.

Jimenez went 2-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday's loss to the Twins.

Getting the start at DH in place of George Springer (toe) and batting seventh, Jimenez laced singles to left field in the fourth and eighth innings. The 29-year-old hasn't provided meaningful production in a big-league lineup since 2023, and it's not yet clear if the Jays view Jimenez as an option to handle a significant role in Springer's absence, or if he'll be a convenient player to waive once Addison Barger (ankles) gets healthy.

Clement went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Twins.

Moved up to the leadoff spot for the first time this season with George Springer (toe) out of action, Clement did an impressive job setting the table and scored Toronto's only two runs on the afternoon. The 30-year-old second baseman is slashing .311/.323/.393 through 15 games with five doubles, four RBI, five runs and a steal, and he could get a long look at the top of the order while Springer is sidelined.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Lux (shoulder) rolled his left ankle during an at-bat in a rehab game Saturday with Triple-A Durham, but the injury isn't "too severe," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lux has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a right shoulder impingement, but he now has a new injury to overcome before being cleared to make his Rays debut. While the ankle issue isn't considered a major concern and Lux is expected to resume his rehab assignment soon, the 28-year-old will need to pick up the pace at the dish before the Rays feel comfortable activating him from the 10-day injured list. Through his first nine games with Durham, Lux went just 3-for-29 (.103 average) with eight walks and 10 strikeouts.

Garcia (elbow) threw another side session Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports, and per MLB.com the veteran reliever is close to beginning a rehab assignment.

Garcia hasn't pitched in a big-league game since July 2 of last season, eventually undergoing surgery on his elbow in September to clean up scar tissue from a prior procedure. He's in the final stages of his recovery, and the Blue Jays remain optimistic the right-hander will be able to rejoin the bullpen by the end of April. Once he's activated and shakes off the rust, Garcia will provide another high-leverage bridge to closer Jeff Hoffman.

Barger (ankles) was no longer wearing a walking boot this weekend, and the Blue Jays remain optimistic he'll only need a minimum stay on the 10-day injured list, per MLB.com.

The right fielder managed to sprain both his ankles, the left more seriously, while attempting to beat out a groundball and landing awkwardly on first base, and his IL stint was backdated to April 6. Barger's had a very slow start to the season at the plate, going 1-for-19 with his only hit being a double, but the Jays could use him back as quickly as possible with George Springer (toe) having suffered his own, more serious injury Saturday. Barger could be eased into the lineup at DH as a result once he's activated.

Yastrzemski went 1-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and three strikeouts in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

Six different Atlanta players recorded multiple hits in a 13-1 rout, but Yastrzemski instead led the team in a less helpful category, accounting for three of the five strikeouts by Cleveland pitchers on the night. The veteran slugger is still looking for his first homer of 2026, slashing .180/.293/.260 through 15 games with what would be a career-worst 27.6 percent strikeout rate, but for now his spot as the strong side of a platoon in left field doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.