MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Garcia (elbow) remains in a holding pattern due to neck and biceps nerve symptoms, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia was initially sidelined following surgery last September to remove scar tissue from his elbow, but it seems his nerve issues are the bigger problem now. The 35-year-old reliever remains shut down for the time being, and it's uncertain when he might be cleared to throw again.

The Astros optioned Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Gordon's stint with the Astros lasted only one day, and he did not make an appearance. He's clearing off the roster to free a spot for Bryan Abreu (personal), who is back from the restricted list.

The Astros activated Abreu from the restricted list Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Abreu missed the series in Toronto earlier this week as he tended to a personal matter, but he's back for the weekend series in Detroit. Colton Gordon was sent down in a corresponding roster move.

Moran (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Moran has missed the past three weeks with left elbow inflammation, but he's improved enough to be cleared for a game setting. The southpaw should rejoin the Boston bullpen by late June or early July.

Seymour (4-1) earned the win Thursday over the Royals, allowing just one walk and no hits over 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

Working as the Rays' bulk reliever, Seymour was nearly perfect Thursday, allowing just one baserunner while setting a season high with seven strikeouts. Since moving into a starting/bulk-relief role, Seymour's posted a 2.84 ERA with a 0.84 WHIP and 19 strikeouts across four outings (19 innings). Overall, his ERA sits at 4.32 with a 1.14 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB through 50 innings this season.

Farris allowed one hit, issued one walk and struck out one batter over two scoreless relief innings against the Orioles on Wednesday.

Angels starter Jose Soriano struggled and was able to give the team only three innings before Farris was brought in to begin the fourth. The lefty reliever got into a bit of trouble by allowing a one-out double and then hitting Gunnar Henderson with a pitch, but Farris was able to get out of the frame unscathed thanks to a double play. He returned for the fifth and induced another double play en route to a second scoreless inning. Farris has covered two or more frames in nine of his 14 appearances this season and has posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB with one hold across 31.1 innings.

Seymour is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Casey Legumina in Thursday's game against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Seymour made a five-inning start against the Nationals his last time out Saturday, but he'll be deployed out of the bullpen for his upcoming turn through the rotation. Since settling in as the Rays' de facto No. 5 starter June 8, Seymour has gone 0-1 with a 4.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB in 12.1 innings over three appearances.

Smith gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning Wednesday to take his third blown save of the season in a 4-3 extra-inning win over the White Sox. He struck out one.

The normally reliable closer blew his first save since April 14, retiring the first two batters he faced in the ninth inning before serving up back-to-back solo shots to Braden Montgomery and Randal Grichuk to tie the game at 3-3 before he put two more batters aboard and got the hook. The Guardians were able to bail Smith out in the 10th, but the right-hander has now been tagged for four runs in his last two appearances, and he's issued at least one free pass in four straight. If his struggles continue, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis and Shawn Armstrong -- who finished up Wednesday's contest -- could all find their way into the closing mix, but Smith's job security won't evaporate that quickly.

Okert (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Blue Jays, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless inning.

Okert has now turned in 17 straight scoreless innings, posting a stellar 0.65 WHIP with 17:4 K:BB in that span. The veteran left-hander has been excellent in the back half of Houston's bullpen this season, posting a 2.35 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP while leading the team with nine holds.

Alvarado (3-3) allowed two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss and a blown save Wednesday versus the Giants.

Alvarado gave up ninth-inning solo shots to Rafael Devers and Victor Bericoto. This was Alvarado's first blown save of the season, though he's also 11 days removed from his last converted save. He's allowed five runs over 5.1 innings in his last four appearances, including four homers. Overall, Alvarado has a 6.20 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 20.1 innings with two saves and four holds. If his struggles persist, he could pitch his way out of the high-leverage role he earned earlier in June.