MLB Player News

Swanson (forearm) was sent to the Blue Jays' Florida Complex League affiliate Friday to begin a rehab assignment.

Swanson had been slated to start a rehab assignment in late April before encountering a setback. However, an MRI on his injured right forearm came back negative at the beginning of the month and he's ready to give it another shot. Swanson is on the 60-day injured list and won't be eligible for activation until late May, even if his rehab stint goes smoothly.

The Mariners recalled Taylor from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Taylor has pitched well over his last seven outings between Tacoma and Seattle, allowing one run with a 9:1 K:BB over seven innings. He'll fill a middle relief role with the Mariners.

The Mariners placed Thornton on the 15-day injured list Friday with appendicitis.

Thornton will be eligible for activation May 21, but an appendectomy could result in a longer than minimum stay on the IL for the reliever. Troy Taylor is taking Thornton's spot in the bullpen.

The Rays selected Seabold's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Seabold had produced a 4.55 ERA and 26:7 K:BB over 27.2 innings and six appearances (five starts) this season with Durham. The right-hander will give manager Kevin Cash some length in the bullpen.

The Rays optioned Englert to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Englert had been roughed up for seven runs over his last two relief appearances. His spot in the bullpen will be taken over by Connor Seabold.

Lauer retired the only batter he faced Tuesday in Blue Jays' 8-3 loss to the Angels.

After working four innings as the primary pitcher behind opener Yariel Rodriguez in his Blue Jays debut April 30, Lauer was deployed in a more traditional relief role Tuesday. The southpaw recorded the final out of the eighth inning, while Jose Urena covered 4.1 innings as Toronto's newest fifth starter. Urena has already been named the Blue Jays' starter for Sunday's game in Seattle.

Uceta allowed three earned runs on four hits across 0.2 innings Thursday against the Phillies.

Uceta was viewed as one of the top setup men in baseball entering the season, but he hasn't lived up to that billing over the first six weeks. He's allowed at least one earned run in five of his 17 appearances, and more concerningly has a pedestrian 13:6 K:BB across 15.2 frames. Uceta does lead the Rays with six holds, so he remains part of the high-leverage mix behind closer Pete Fairbanks.

Rodriguez picked up his fourth hold of the season in Thursday's win over the Angels, allowing one hit and striking out five over two scoreless innings.

The 28-year-old right-hander needed only 29 pitches (20 strikes) to record his six outs, as Rodriguez helped give the Blue Jays' usual high-leverage options a breather by working the seventh and eighth innings. He may be joining that group himself -- Rodriguez has recorded a hold in back-to-back appearances, and over his last nine outings and 12.1 innings he's posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB.

Scholtens (elbow) made his first rehab appearance with High-A Winston-Salem on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Scholtens missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery and was placed on the 60-day injured list in spring training. The right-hander worked three innings Tuesday while allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks and striking out two. He will need several more rehab outings before being ready to re-join the White Sox.

The Royals signed Richards to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Richards had been cut loose by the Cubs earlier this week after posting a 7.27 ERA and 12:7 K:BB over 8.2 innings at Triple-A Iowa. The righty will report to Triple-A Omaha, where he will give the Royals some relief depth.