MLB Player News

Manager John Schneider said that Ponce (knee) would be a candidate to return from the 60-day injured list only if the Blue Jays make the postseason and advanced deep into October, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Schneider's comments come as little surprise, as Ponce's 2026 campaign was already expected to be over after he tore the ACL in his right knee in his Blue Jays debut March 30 and required surgery a few weeks later. On a positive note, the fact that Ponce hasn't completely been ruled out from pitching if the Blue Jays make a deep playoff run suggests that his recovery has thus far gone smoothly, and he's on track to be 100 percent for spring training. Ponce is under contract through 2028 after signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Blue Jays back in December following an outstanding 2025 season in the Korea Baseball Organization.

Manager Craig Albernaz said Monday that Bautista's (shoulder) return from the 60-day injured list isn't imminent, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista kicked off his rehab assignment in late August and has made five appearances with Double-A Chesapeake and Triple-A Norfolk, allowing four runs on three hits and six walks with five strikeouts across four innings. He hasn't pitched in the big leagues since July 20 of last year due to shoulder surgery.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said Monday that Slaten (elbow) has been shut down from throwing, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Slaten last pitched Aug. 12 before landing on the shelf four days later due to elbow inflammation. He's experienced recurring symptoms since restarting a throwing program recently and will be shut down indefinitely, lessening the possibility that the 28-year-old makes it back from the injured list before the end of the regular season. Slaten owns a 4.60 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB across 31.1 innings of relief with Boston.

Manager Craig Albernaz said Monday that Helsley (elbow) will throw live batting practice Tuesday or Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Helsley last pitched for Baltimore on June 27 due to elbow inflammation. He's been throwing since early August but will finally face hitters this week, giving him a chance to pitch again this regular season. Helsley has been limited to 17 appearances this season, registering eight saves with a 4.11 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Bello will start Monday's game against the Angels.

Despite thriving out of the bullpen this season with a 2.03 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 62 innings, Bello will be deployed in a traditional starting role for the first time since June 4. In his prior eight starts, Bello has struggled mightily, logging a 10.35 ERA and 2.22 WHIP. Bello threw 69 pitches in his most recent relief appearance and threw 94 in the outing prior to that, so he's stretched out enough to provide significant length.

The Twins optioned Acton to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Acton was knocked around for four runs while notching just one out in Sunday's loss to the White Sox, and he finds himself back in the minors a day later. He's clearing off the active roster to make space for the return of Joe Ryan (glute).

Finnegan (3-1) allowed an unearned run on two hits without recording an out to take the loss in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to the Guardians in 10 innings.

Finnegan was tasked with navigating the bottom of the 10th inning in a 2-2 game, but he allowed two quick singles on five pitches to allow the automatic runner to score from second and take his first loss of the season. While he wasn't charged with any earned runs Sunday, the righty still continued his recent struggles, as he's sitting with an 8.76 ERA across his last 15 appearances to go along with two blown saves and a loss on his ledger. Overall, Finnegan has been better with a 3.86 ERA in 58.1 innings this season, though his 1.61 WHIP would easily be a new career worst.

Chapman earned the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Orioles, allowing one hit and no walks with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Chapman was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and quieted the top of the Orioles' order to close the door. The veteran closer owns a 1.80 ERA in 20 second-half appearances and has now converted 17 straight save chances since his last blown save June 28. On the year, he's 33-for-35 in save opportunities with a 2.03 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB across 48.2 innings.

Munoz pitched a perfect inning and struck out one to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Athletics.

Munoz finished the job after Bryan Woo's eight innings of one-hit ball. A rough end to August saw Munoz work in non-save situations for his first two games in September, and he's started the month with 2.2 perfect innings. He's had his share of struggles with a 4.13 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 83:20 K:BB through 52.1 innings this season, and he has converted 25 of 34 save chances.

Seymour allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out two over three-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Sunday.

Seymour has now given up at least three runs in each of his last five games, though he had covered at least five frames in each of those outings prior to Sunday. The southpaw had particular trouble with Jake Burger, who tagged him for a pair of home runs, accounting for three of the runs he surrendered. Seymour is at a 4.33 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 140:33 K:BB through 116.1 innings over 43 games (13 starts) this year. He is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Astros.