MLB Player News

The Blue Jays transferred Clase (foot) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Clase has been on the injured list since July 22 due to left foot plantar fasciitis. His earliest eligibility to return is Sept. 20, which means there's a chance he will not make another big-league appearance in 2026. The outfielder was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster for the signing of Michael Lorenzen.

The Blue Jays optioned Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

This marks Dallas' fifth time getting optioned in 2026, which means if he is recalled again, the Blue Jays won't be able to option him to Triple-A without exposing him to waivers. The right-hander made one appearance after getting recalled Tuesday. He pitched 2.2 scoreless innings Wednesday against Kansas City, allowing no walks or hits. In a corresponding move, Toronto signed Michael Lorenzen.

Smith (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Smith is slated to play back-to-back full games before being evaluated for a potential return. The utility player landed on the 10-day injured list last week with left hamstring inflammation, but he avoided a strain and is tracking toward a minimum stay on the IL.

Lorenzen signed a major-league contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Rockies cut ties with Lorenzen last week after he turned in a 7.08 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 115.2 innings, but he'll now receive an opportunity to pitch for Toronto. The Blue Jays have an open spot in their rotation after placing Shane Bieber (shoulder) on the injured list Tuesday, but manager John Schneider said that Lorenzen will begin his tenure with the club working out of the bullpen, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca.

Schmidt (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Saturday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

It's unclear which affiliate Schmidt will be assigned to, but it will be his first time pitching in a game since he underwent an internal brace procedure last July. The expectation is that Schmidt will not have enough time to be built back up as a starting pitcher, but he could help the Yankees in a relief role in September.

Loftin is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Loftin had made eight consecutive starts, but he will retreat to the bench for Thursday's series finale. Josh Rojas will occupy the hot corner for the Royals in the rubber match.

The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Black pitched two scoreless innings during Wednesday's contest, marking the first time since June 7 that he didn't give up a run during an appearance in the big leagues. Now carrying a 4.31 ERA and 1.60 WHIP on the season, he'll move back down to Triple-A so the Royals can bring in a fresh arm in the form of Anthony Gose.

The Royals selected Gose's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Gose has spent the entire season at Triple-A, where he owns a 4.94 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 59:31 K:BB across 47.1 innings. Although his performance has been unremarkable, the 36-year-old will now return to the big leagues for the first time since 2024 to give Kansas City's bullpen a fresh arm, replacing Mason Black.

The Royals recalled Rojas from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Rojas has posted just a .556 OPS across 80 plate appearances in the majors this season, but he'll get the call to rejoin the big club to make up for the loss of Michael Massey (concussion). Rojas will likely serve primarily as bench depth while Tyler Tolbert receives the majority of starts at second base going forward.

Bateman is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Bateman started the last five contests and reached base 10 times over that span, but he will begin Thursday's festivities on the bench. Daz Cameron, Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes will patrol the outfield in Thursday's rubber match.