MLB Player News

Scherzer (back/thumb) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 41-year-old had his rehab assignment paused last week in order to get three cortisone injections in his right thumb, but he wasn't shut down from throwing for long. Scherzer originally landed on the IL in mid-June due to back spasms, but he's now received cortisone injections for both his side and thumb while on the shelf. The Blue Jays hoped that the right-hander's quick return to throwing will allow him to resume the rehab assignment in the near future.

Basallo exited Sunday's game against Houston early with right shoulder discomfort, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports.

After just one at-bat in the top of the second inning, Basallo was pulled from the game due to discomfort in his right shoulder. Sam Huff has replaced Basallo behind the plate.

Baltimore transferred Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Though he was cleared of any structural damage to his UCL following a recent MRI, Helsley is tending to inflammation around the ligament and will require an extended period of rest and recovery. The Orioles are optimistic that the 31-year-old will be activated from the IL before the end of the season, but a clearer target date for his return won't be known until he starts throwing again. At the very least, Helsley's move to the 60-day IL ensures he won't be available for the Orioles until Aug. 29. While Helsley is on the shelf, Tyler Wells and Andrew Kittredge look to be the top options for saves out of the Baltimore bullpen.

Baltimore optioned Sanders to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

After being acquired from the Pirates on Monday, Sanders was initially optioned to Norfolk before joining the Orioles ahead of their weekend series in Houston. He was used in relief in both of the first two games of the series, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings while notching his first MLB win Friday and his first MLB save Saturday. The Orioles opted to replace Sanders on the 26-man active roster with catcher Sam Huff, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Seager (back) is scheduled to hit soft toss in the batting cage Sunday in addition to fielding groundballs, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Seager continues to do light baseball activities as he works his way back from lower-back inflammation, which sent him to the injured list at the start of July after spending time on the IL with the same injury earlier in the campaign. The veteran shortstop is without an official timeline for his return but doesn't seem likely to be back in the immediate future. According to Landry, the Rangers expect Seager to be back "eventually" this season.

McKinstry is out of the lineup for the series finale against the Angels on Sunday, Chris McKosky of The Detroit News reports.

McKinstry will take a rare day off, marking his first rest day since June 17. Hao-Yu Lee will play second base and bat seventh for the Tigers.

The Guardians optioned Allen to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

The left-hander served as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates and started the nightcap, taking a no-decision after giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks over 3.1 innings. Allen will rejoin Columbus' rotation but could get another look in the majors when Cleveland needs some length.

O'Hoppe is absent from Sunday's lineup against the Tigers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

O'Hoppe will receive a breather for the series finale after going 2-for-2 with a walk Saturday. The 26-year-old will be replaced by Tyler Heineman behind the plate, and he will bat ninth for the Angels.

The Royals reinstated Kolek (personal) from the family medical leave list and placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right flexor strain.

The right-hander has spent most of the past few weeks on the paternity and family medical emergency list, and he appeared close to rejoining the Royals when he began a rehab assignment Saturday. Kolek presumably sustained the injury in his start with Triple-A Omaha, during which he surrendered two earned runs on six hits with a 3:0 K:BB over 2.2 innings. The Royals haven't provided a timeline for the 29-year-old to return from the forearm injury.

Caballero is out of the lineup for the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Dodgers.

The 29-year-old went 0-for-4 during the first game of the second half Friday but will hit the bench for Sunday's matinee. Anthony Volpe is picking up a start at shortstop in place of Caballero, who seems likely to rejoin the lineup for the nightcap, either at shortstop or another position.