MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Scherzer (back/side) played catch Monday and could throw a bullpen session as soon as Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer threw a bullpen session as recently as last Monday, but the Blue Jays briefly shut him down a few days later after he experienced left side discomfort that was seemingly related to the back spasms that forced him to the injured list June 17. The right-hander received a cortisone shot Friday and has responded well to the injection, so he'll start the process of getting stretched back out. Scherzer could have a realistic shot at returning to the Toronto rotation at some point next week if he avoids any further setbacks while building up.

The Athletics recalled Morris from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Morris was rocked for nine runs over four-plus innings in his major-league debut earlier this month. The 24-year-old appears set to work in long relief during his upcoming stint with the big club.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Fried (elbow) will throw a two-inning simulated game Tuesday, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

The Yankees are targeting Fried for around 30 pitches while he takes the mound and faces hitters for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list May 16 due to a left elbow bone bruise. Fried doesn't look like he'll have enough time to get fully stretched out before the All-Star break, but a late-July return from the IL could be in play if he steers clear of any setbacks as he builds up his pitch count via sim games and/or minor-league rehab starts.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Monday that Montero will move to the bullpen for the time being, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Montero did nothing to lose his spot, as he tossed seven shutout innings versus the Astros his last time out and holds a 3.34 ERA in 15 starts this season. However, Jack Flaherty returned from the injured list over the weekend, and the Tigers will roll with a five-man rotation for now. Montero should eventually be asked to make more starts, but for now he'll likely be used in long relief.

White Sox manager Will Venable said that Schultz (knee) is on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Orioles, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Schultz made three starts during his rehab assignment, with his last taking place with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, when he tossed 74 pitches (52 strikes) while allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven across 4.2 innings. The 22-year-old southpaw has progressed enough in his recovery from right knee tendinitis to return to the majors Wednesday and will look to improve on his season line of a 5.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 33:22 K:BB across 38.2 innings.

The Rangers signed Paddack to a one-year contract Monday.

Paddack is expected to make his Rangers debut Monday in Cleveland as the bulk reliever following opener Tyler Alexander, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The right-hander has gone 0-7 with a 6.96 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 39:19 K:BB in 53 innings over his 13 appearances (nine starts) between the Marlins and Reds this season.

Kremer (quadriceps) will throw a bullpen session at Camden Yards on Monday and is under consideration to return from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game versus the White Sox, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Kremer has been shelved since late April with a right quad strain, but he looks to be in line to rejoin the Orioles rotation Wednesday as long as he completes Monday's bullpen session and bounces back with no issues. The righty struck out eight over 6.2 scoreless frames in his last rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, getting his pitch count up to 79. Kremer posted a 4.09 ERA and 16:2 K:BB over 11 innings covering two starts with Baltimore before getting hurt.

Gil (shoulder) resumed a throwing program June 13, MLB.com reports.

After the Yankees optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 26, Gil didn't make any appearances for the affiliate before being placed on the 7-day injured list May 8 due to right shoulder inflammation. Though he resumed throwing just over a month after being shut down, Gil will likely require a lengthy ramp-up period and may need to make one or two starts in the lower levels of the minors before slotting back into the Triple-A rotation.

Sandoval (biceps) struck out three and allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk across four innings Sunday in his rehab start with Triple-A Worcester.

Sandoval built up to 60 pitches (40 strikes) in Sunday's appearance, his fifth minor-league start since he resumed a rehab assignment June 5. He generated five whiffs in the outing and averaged 92.8 mph with his four-seam fastball, down one mph from his average with the Angels during the 2024 season before he underwent internal brace surgery that June. The 29-year-old southpaw is now well removed from the elbow procedure, but a bout with biceps soreness during his rehab assignment in April continued to delay his Red Sox debut. Sandoval's current 30-day rehab window will come to an end Saturday, so he'll likely make one more start with either Worcester or Double-A Portland before coming off the 60-day injured list. With Jake Bennett having excelled as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter over the past few weeks, Sandoval might have to settle for a multi-inning relief role once he gets activated.

Civale (5-5) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings against the Angels. He struck out two.

Civale's lone mistake was a costly one, as he surrendered a towering grand slam to Josh Lowe in the second inning. The right-hander has struggled in three starts since returning from a stint on the injured list due to right shoulder tendinitis, allowing 12 runs on 22 hits across 12 innings with a 9:3 K:BB. Civale's first season with the Athletics has largely been ineffective, as he owns a 5.05 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 48:20 K:BB across 67.2 innings (14 starts). The 31-year-old's next outing is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Marlins.