MLB Player News

Javier (elbow) will make the third start of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier made his first two rehab appearances in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Double-A Corpus Christi. After tossing 1.1 innings in the FCL on July 12, Javier built up to three innings in his most recent outing for Corpus Christi last Friday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. He'll likely push up his pitch count Thursday and will presumably need at least one or two minor-league starts after that before he makes his return from the 60-day injured list.

Melton (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After spending more than a month on the injured list due to a sprained right ankle, Melton has finally been given the green light to return to a competitive environment. It remains unknown how long the Astros plan to keep the 24-year-old in the minors, but he may still have enough time to return to the active roster before the end of July.

Manoah (elbow) will pitch a simulated game Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Single-A Dunedin is on the road Saturday, so the Blue Jays are opting for a simulated game in which they can control Manoah's pitch count instead. The right-hander should be ready to return to full capacity by the end of August or early September.

Soler (back) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Jack Janes of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

A back injury forced Soler out of Wednesday's game in the third inning. The 33-year-old has already spent time on the IL this year due to back problems, so the Angels will err on the side of caution and hold him out of Thursday's contest while LaMonte Wade starts in right field.

O'Hoppe isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Jack Janes of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Despite going 8-for-17 since the All-Star break, O'Hoppe will miss a second consecutive start Thursday while Travis d'Arnaud catches for starter Yusei Kikuchi and bats seventh.

The Angels transferred Stephenson (biceps) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Stephenson initially landed on the injured list June 2 with biceps inflammation, so his move to the 60-day IL has virtually no impact on his return timeline. The 32-year-old reliever began a throwing program Monday but has yet to begin mound work, and he'll likely require a few rehab appearances in the minors before rejoining Los Angeles' bullpen. Jose Quijada was selected to the MLB roster Thursday to claim the open 40-man roster spot.

The Angels selected the contract of Quijada from Double-A Rocket City on Thursday.

The Angels outrighted Quijada to Triple-A Salt Lake at the end of March after he cleared waivers. He was later assigned to Double-A Rocket City on May 10. Since then, the 29-year-old has posted a 2.73 ERA with a 39:9 K:BB in 26.1 innings through 27 games. In a corresponding move Thursday, the Angels optioned Jake Eder to Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Angels optioned Eder to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Eder worked as the Angels' bulk reliever Tuesday, giving up five earned runs over six innings and taking his first loss of the season. Now sporting a 4.91 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in the majors, he'll head back to the rotation at Salt Lake, where he owns a 6.11 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Jose Quijada was promoted from Triple-A to fill the vacancy in the Angels' bullpen.

Gimenez (ankle) began a running progression Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gimenez has been on the injured list with a sprained left ankle since early July but remains without a defined return timeline. However, it's worth noting that manager John Schneider said that Gimenez's first day of running went "better than expected," which keeps the door open for the infielder to return to action in the near future.

Sandlin will be shut down from throwing for a week after receiving a cortisone shot in his right elbow, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Sandlin was recently cleared to begin playing catch after landing on the injured list July 8 with elbow inflammation, but the Jays will now shut him down temporarily and see how he responds to his injection. Once the no-throw period is finished, a clearer timeline for the 28-year-old's return may begin to emerge.