MLB Player News

Jansen isn't in the Rangers' starting lineup Sunday versus the Reds.

Jansen started behind the plate each of Texas' past four games, and he'll get a well-deserved rest Sunday. The veteran catcher has performed well to begin the season, slashing .250/.250/.458 with a home run and six RBI through 24 plate appearances. Kyle Higashioka is behind the dish for the Rangers in Sunday's series finale.

Jung isn't starting Sunday versus Cincinnati.

Jung will get the day off after starting seven of Texas' first eight games. He's struggled to begin the campaign, slashing .143/.172/.143 with one RBI and a 1:8 BB:K. Ezequiel Duran is manning the hot corner for Texas on Sunday.

Boston is expecting Whitlock (paternity leave) to return to the team Monday, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Whitlock has been away from the team since Friday while welcoming his second child into the world. The righty reliever should be back with Boston for the team's series opener at home versus Milwaukee. Whitlock has yet to give a up a run through three outings spanning three innings this season.

Rodon (elbow/hamstring) experienced "some soreness" following his workout Saturday, but manager Aaron Boone said that the soreness is "to be expected," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Rodon is continuing to work his way back from both offseason elbow surgery and a recent battle with right hamstring tightness. The veteran pitcher's workout Saturday consisted of a bullpen and agility work, and though he felt some soreness, it doesn't appear the issue will set him back. Rodon is next expected to throw another side session before potentially beginning a minor-league rehab stint.

Texas recalled Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Curvelo wasn't able to break camp with the Rangers, but he'll now get a look in the bullpen after Carter Baumler landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right intercostal strain. In his first big-league stint last season, Curvelo tossed 19 innings over 17 appearances and posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB while picking up two holds. He'll likely take on a low-leverage role.

The Rangers placed Baumler on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right intercostal strain.

Baumler had his best outing of the season Saturday versus Cincinnati, striking out one batter in one perfect inning, but he apparently was injured in the process. The right-hander will consequently need to miss at least a couple weeks. Texas recalled reliever Luis Curvelo from Triple-A Round Rock to take Baumler's place in the bullpen.

Toronto optioned Little to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Little has had a disastrous start to the campaign, allowing 10 earned runs and giving up three homers while posting a 6:3 K:BB over 3.2 innings across five appearances. He was a big piece of the team's bullpen while working in a high-leverage role last season, so Little will presumably be given another chance with the big-league club if he's able to work out his issues with Buffalo. The Blue Jays selected the contracts of two relievers -- Austin Voth and Joe Mantiply -- among a series of transactions Sunday.

Toronto optioned Estrada to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Estrada was excellent in a bulk-relief outing Saturday, holding the White Sox hitless over four innings while striking out three batters and walking two. However, he threw 66 pitches and would presumably be sidelined for several days as a result, so the Blue Jays opted to shuffle him down to Buffalo in order to beef up the team's bullpen. Given Estrada's performance Saturday, it seems very likely he'll be back with the major-league club relatively soon.

Toronto selected Voth's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

After Voth was released by the White Sox on March 20, the Blue Jays scooped him up on a minor-league contract. In one start with Buffalo this season, the right-hander tossed three innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out two batters. Voth has worked both as a starter and a reliever during his time in the majors, but given that Toronto stated that he'd be available to pitch Sunday, it appears he's slated for a bullpen role.

The Blue Jays selected Mantiply's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Mantiply signed a minor-league contract with Toronto in early March, but he wasn't able to crack the Opening Day roster. The veteran reliever thus began the campaign with Buffalo, pitching in two games and allowing one run while posting a 3:0 K:BB over 3.2 innings. Mantiply should occupy a low-leverage spot in the Blue Jays' bullpen. The team was able to clear room for him on the 40-man roster by transferring Cody Ponce (knee) and Anthony Santander (shoulder) to the 60-day IL.