MLB Player News

Yesavage could be promoted to the majors to make his MLB debut in September, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

While the Blue Jays may be more likely to use their extra September roster spot for the pitching staff on a relief arm who's already seen time in the majors this season, such as Lazaro Estrada and Paxton Schultz, letting Yesavage get his feet wet at the top level could be tempting for the organization, especially if the Jays think he'll be ready to compete for a rotation spot next spring. The 22-year-old right-hander has risen from Single-A to Double-A this season and soared up prospect lists in his first pro campaign after being the 20th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, posting a combined 3.01 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 134:30 K:BB in just 80.2 innings across three levels.

Manoah (elbow) may not have a spot available on the big-league roster when he's completed his rehab assignment, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Trade-deadline acquisition Shane Bieber (elbow) will beat Manoah back from the IL, and once the former Guardian joins the 26-man roster, the Blue Jays will already have six qualified options for the rotation. Manoah could work as a long reliever, but he has minor-league options remaining, and the organization may prefer to have the 27-year-old right-hander finish out the year in the rotation at Triple-A, and focus on getting ready to challenge for a starting job in Toronto next spring -- Bieber holds a player option for 2026 he's likely to decline, while both Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt will be free agents this winter. In his most recent rehab start Aug. 7, Manoah built up to 64 pitches (36 strikes) for Double-A New Hampshire, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks over three innings while striking out two.

Bieber (elbow) built up to 78 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Andres Soto of MLB.com reports.

The veteran righty allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings while striking out six, continuing a tantalizing run that has seen him post a 3.06 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and stellar 23:2 K:BB over 17.2 rehab innings since the All-Star break. The Blue Jays want Bieber to make one more rehab start before they debut their big trade-deadline acquisition, with manager John Schneider indicating his target workload will be 85 pitches. The team has yet to decide whether it will move to a six-man rotation when Bieber is activated from the IL, but Schneider seems to be against it. "You don't want to have that long of a layoff [between starts]," he said Saturday. Bieber hasn't pitched in the majors since April 2, 2024, his last outing with the Guardians before undergoing Tommy John surgery, but it appears as though he'll be ready to handle a regular workload right away once he's activated.

Brown is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown was moved to the bullpen after the Cubs acquired Michael Soroka ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, but Brown will temporarily move back into the rotation after Soroka strained his right shoulder in his team debut during last Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds and landed on the injured list. In that same game, Brown came on in long relief and struck out five over four innings, so he should be stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload Tuesday. Brown may be in line for just one turn through the rotation, as Jameson Taillon (calf) and Javier Assad (oblique) are both in the midst of rehab assignments and could be ready to return from the IL the next time a fifth starter is needed.

Lodolo (finger) played catch Sunday, MLB.com reports.

After landing on the injured list Tuesday due to a blister on his left index finger, Lodolo has now resumed throwing. He's eligible for activation Aug. 20, but Lodolo still has multiple checkpoints to hit in his recovery from the blister before rejoining the Cincinnati rotation.

The Angels optioned Kochanowicz to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Kochanowicz's second demotion of the season comes after he was lit up for seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks over three innings in Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Tigers. The right-hander now holds a 3-10 record to go with a bloated 6.19 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 107.2 innings in the majors this season, so he may need to have an extended run of success at the Triple-A level before he receives another look in the Los Angeles rotation. Carson Fulmer tossed five innings of long relief behind Kochanowicz on Sunday and could be a candidate to replace the latter in the rotation the next time the Angels require a fifth starter. Victor Mederos and Sam Aldegheri have also been pitching well recently for Salt Lake and Double-A Rocket City, respectively, and could also merit consideration for the open spot in the big-league rotation.

Forret was promoted to Double-A Chesapeake on Sunday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Forret will make a much-deserved jump to Double-A after registering a 1.51 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 59.2 innings in 16 appearances, including 15 starts, with High-A Aberdeen this season. The 21-year-old will now look to continue his impressive campaign with Chesapeake.

The Marlins optioned Gusto to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Gusto was appointed from Triple-A to serve as the Marlins' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with Atlanta and drew the start in the first game of the twin bill. He made a strong impression in his Marlins debut, taking a loss but striking out eight and limiting Atlanta to three runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. Though Gusto will head back to Triple-A, he could be the Marlins' top choice for a call-up if a spot in the rotation opens up at any point in the next few weeks.

Marquez (biceps) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Marquez has been throwing bullpen sessions for a week and is now prepared to take the next step in his recovery. He has been sidelined since July 21, meaning a rehab assignment is likely, but the team has yet to give a timeline for Marquez to return.

Imanaga (8-5) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out nine without walking a batter over 6.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Cardinals on Sunday.

While Imanaga was stingy with baserunners, the Cardinals took advantage of their limited chances. Pedro Pages tagged Imanaga for a two-run home run in the third inning and Nolan Gorman added the decisive hit, an RBI single, in the seventh. Imanaga has a pair of quality starts to begin August, allowing four runs over 13 innings with 16 strikeouts and no walks so far this month. He's at a 3.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 79:17 K:BB through 96 innings over 17 starts this season. The southpaw's next start is projected to be at home versus the Pirates.