MLB Player News

Pearson (illness) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday at the Blue Jays' spring training complex, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Toronto has been building up Pearson slowly since he overcame a bout with mononucleosis in mid-April, as he has yet to advance to facing hitters despite having dealt with no setbacks in his throwing program over the past month. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca suggests that if Pearson's bullpen session goes well, he'll finally be cleared to throw live batting practice later this week. After that, Pearson could head out on a minor-league rehab assignment.

The Blue Jays recalled Vasquez from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

The addition of Vasquez gives the Blue Jays another healthy left-handed option out of the bullpen after southpaw Tim Mayza (forearm) was moved to the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Vasquez previously made three relief appearances for Toronto earlier this season, covering 2.1 innings in total and giving up four earned runs on four hits and two waks.

The Blue Jays placed Mayza on the 15-day injured list Monday with left forearm inflammation.

Mayza has been one of baseball's under-the-radar standout setup man this season, accruing seven holds across 15 appearances while submitting a 2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB in 13 innings. He'll be sidelined until at least May 30 with the injury, though the fact that the Blue Jays are labeling his injury as inflammation rather than a strain bodes well for his chances of avoiding an extended absence. Mayza is scheduled to undergo an MRI later this week, which should give the Blue Jays more certainty regarding whether he's dealing with any damage to his forearm beyond the inflammation, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reinstated Weber from its 7-day injured list Wednesday, with the right-hander pitching two innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks in his return to the rotation Friday against Syracuse.

Weber was sidelined for just over three weeks due to COVID-19-related protocols, so he presumably tested positive for the virus. Due to the long layoff, Weber was eased back into the rotation with a lighter workload than usual, but he should increase his pitch count in his subsequent outings.

Herget earned a save against Oakland on Sunday, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit. He did not walk or strike out any batters.

Usual closer Raisel Iglesias pitched both Friday and Saturday, so manager Joe Maddon elected to leave Herget in the contest for the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday despite the Angels leading by just three runs. The right-hander validated the decision by closing the game out for his first career save. Herget isn't likely to see many more save opportunities going forward, though he's been solid this season with a 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 18:1 K:BB across 19 innings.

Klein (lower leg) was reinstated from Double-A Northwest Arkansas' 7-day injured list Saturday and started in the affiliate's 7-6 loss to Wichita later that day. He covered 1.1 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on two hits and five walks while striking out one.

Klein had been sidelined for the first five weeks of the season while he dealt with shin splits, but he was cleared to debut at Northwest Arkansas over the weekend without having to complete a rehab assignment at a lower-level affiliate. In hindsight, the Royals may have wanted to give him a tune-up outing in the lower rungs of the minors, as he struggled mightily with both his command and control in his Double-A debut. Klein threw just 21 of his 45 pitches for strikes before he was lifted midway through the second inning.

Oller was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas after Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels.

He was making a spot start, and considering he has a 12.27 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in 14.2 innings through four MLB appearances, it may be a while before he gets another such opportunity. Oller has been better at Triple-A, where he has given up two earned runs while striking out eight over eight innings in two appearances.

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas following last week's start in Detroit.

Oddly enough, his best statistical start of the season was his one for the big club, as he struck out three over 5.1 scoreless innings. It's been a different story in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, where he has a 7.61 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 23.2 innings through six starts.

Angels manager Joe Maddon said Sunday that he hasn't decided if Silseth will receive another start with the big club, though the rookie appears likely to make at least one more turn through the rotation, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Los Angeles added two new starters to its rotation this past weekend in Silseth and Jhonathan Diaz, the latter of whom started in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with Oakland. Assuming the Angels intend to keep their six-man rotation intact this week, Diaz's demotion to Triple-A Salt Lake following Saturday's outing seemingly indicates that Silseth will stick around with Los Angeles in a starting role. Silseth -- the first player selected in the 2021 first-year player draft to reach the big leagues -- was mightily impressive in his MLB debut Friday in Oakland, striking out four over six scoreless innings while scattering one hit and two walks. He tentatively lines up for another start versus the Athletics during the upcoming weekend, with this outing coming at Angel Stadium.

Brasier (0-2) was tagged with Sunday's loss, allowing four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out three over one inning against the Rangers.

Brasier was victimized by Adolis Garcia and Kole Calhoun, who back-to-back home runs off the righty reliever. He's pitched well out of the bullpen until this last week. Brasier's 2.45 ERA blew up 6.57 after giving up six runs on three home runs in his last two appearances. Brasier's allowed four jacks over 12.1 innings (2.9 HR/9).