MLB Player News

Francis (forearm) struck out four batters and allowed only one hit over two scoreless innings Tuesday in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo.

The right-hander was shut down in late April due to forearm tendinitis, but Francis' sharp rehab outing suggests he's just about ready to rejoin the big-league staff. Alek Manoah is coming off a strong start as the fifth starter, so Francis will likely be ticketed for long relief when he returns. After a couple rough outings in the rotation to begin the season, Francis has 2.84 ERA and 5:3 K:BB in 6.1 relief innings for the Blue Jays.

Cole (elbow) threw approximately 36 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, per MLB.com.

Cole continues to incrementally increase his pitch count during his throwing sessions -- his previous bullpen took place Saturday and included 29 pitches. The veteran right-hander sat at around 89 mph with his fastball in that session, so he appears to still have a ways to go to get back up to full speed, but so far his recovery seems to be going smoothly, with manager Aaron Boone characterizing Cole's outlook as "onward and upward." There's no indication yet of when Cole may begin a rehab assignment, but he isn't likely to be activated off the IL until after the start of June.

Bassitt won't start Wednesday's game against the Orioles at Camden Yards, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt was slated to start Tuesday in Baltimore before the game was postponed due to inclement weather. Rather than pushing each member of their rotation back a day in the pitching schedule to accommodate the postponement, the Blue Jays will have Yusei Kikuchi take the hill on normal rest Wednesday. As Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca notes, Bassitt has been hit hard by left-handed batters this season, and the lefty Kikuchi may give Toronto a better chance at coming away with a win against a lefty-heavy Baltimore lineup. The Blue Jays haven't announced their rotation plans for this weekend's series with the Rays, but expect Bassitt to start at least one of those games rather than having his turn skipped entirely.

Kikuchi is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Orioles in Baltimore, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

After Tuesday's game was postponed, the Blue Jays hadn't initially named a starter for Wednesday's series finale. Rather than pushing Chris Bassitt back a day in the pitching schedule after he had been in line to take the hill Tuesday, the Blue Jays will instead move up Kikuchi and have him take the hill Wednesday on his normal four days' rest. Kikuchi took a loss his last time out Friday against the Twins, but he worked a season-high eight innings and lowered his ERA to 2.64.

Pivetta came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rays, allowing two runs on four hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight without walking a batter.

The right-hander generated an impressive 32 called or swinging strikes among his 81 pitches, but both runs off Pivetta came on solo shots by Josh Lowe and Randy Arozarena, with the latter chasing him from the game one out short of his second quality start of the season. Pivetta has served up five homers in two starts since coming off the IL, a worrisome trend, but he'll carry a 3.48 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 22:2 K:BB through 20.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in St. Louis.

Civale came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Red Sox, giving up three runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander kept Boston off the board his first time through the order, but a two-run double by Dominic Smith in the fourth inning and a solo shot by Ceddanne Rafaela in the fifth sent Civale packing after 76 pitches (53 strikes). He's failed to last more than five innings in any of his last five starts, a stretch in which he's stumbled to an 8.87 ERA and 1.71 WHIP, and his rotation spot could be in jeopardy if he doesn't turn things around by the time Ryan Pepiot (leg) and Shane Baz (elbow) are ready to rejoin the team. Civale lines up to make his next start on the road this weekend in Toronto.

Fedde (4-0) picked up the win in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Facing the team he spent the first six seasons of his MLB career with before pitching in the KBO in 2023, Fedde showed the Nats what they were missing, tossing 60 of 99 pitches for strikes as he delivered a second straight scoreless effort and his fourth quality start of the year. The 31-year-old right-hander will take a 2.60 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB through 52 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come early next week in Toronto.

Flexen came away with a no-decision in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander was cruising early, scattering four singles over four scoreless innings to begin the afternoon, but Flexen hit a wall in the fifth and left the game after 86 pitches (58 strikes) with the score tied 3-3. Some fatigue was perhaps understandable after he's thrown more than 90 pitches in each of his prior two starts, his longest outings of the season so far. Flexen will take a 4.46 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 30:14 K:BB through 40.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come in Yankee Stadium this weekend.

Lively (2-2) recorded the win Tuesday against Texas, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks during five innings. He struck out five.

Lively fell victim to the warm Texas weather and the open roof at Globe Life Field, giving up solo home runs to Adolis Garcia, Corey Seager and Nathaniel Lowe. The long balls were Lively's first given up since his second start of the campaign. Lively is on pace for a career year, owning a 2.63 ERA and a 26:9 K:BB through 27.1 innings this season. He's tentatively scheduled to start Monday against the Mets.

Leiter (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against Cleveland, allowing six runs on three hits and three walks across 1.2 innings. He struck out one.

Leiter's struggles continued Tuesday, hitting a batter, dishing out a walk and throwing a pair of wild pitches in the first inning before giving up six runs and being pulled before finishing the second frame. In the second, Leiter allowed a pair of extra-base hits: a two-RBI double to Bo Naylor and a three-run home run to Josh Naylor. With Dane Dunning (shoulder) nearing a return and Leiter posting a 16.39 ERA across three starts, Tuesday's start could be the rookie's last.