MLB Player News

Garcia (ankle) received a cortisone shot in his right elbow this week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

An ankle sprain sent Garcia to the injured list July 5, but he was recently shut down after experiencing elbow issues while ramping up his throwing program. The plan is for him to remain shut down for another two weeks, at which point the Jays will re-evaluate him and determine next steps.

Diaz is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

It looks to be a routine day off after Diaz started at catcher in each of the Astros' previous two contests. Victor Caratini will be behind the dish and bat second in Thursday's series opener.

Andujar isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

Andujar will grab a seat on the bench Thursday after going 2-for-10 with four strikeouts during the Athletics' three-game set against the Rangers. While he rests, Gio Urshela will pick up a start at third base, and Carlos Cortes will cover right field.

Wilson is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Houston.

Wilson is in a rare funk at the plate, having gone hitless over his last four games, so he'll get a day to regroup. Max Schuemann is filling at shortstop and batting leadoff for the Athletics.

The Astros recalled Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

Alexander will draw the start in Thursday's home game against the Athletics, and he could earn additional starts with the big club as the Astros navigate a myriad rotation injuries. The 32-year-old's other start for Houston this season also came against the Athletics, and he held them to two runs in six frames. However, the journeyman righty isn't a great bet to put up another quality start Thursday.

The Tigers selected Hartlieb's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

Hartlieb inked a minor-league contract with the Tigers earlier this month and is up with the big club after 2.1 perfect innings with four strikeouts at Toledo. The 31-year-old has managed just a 7.92 ERA over 66 career relief outings at the big-league level.

The Tigers designated Hernandez for assignment Thursday.

Hernandez was a waiver claim of the Tigers in June and is now headed back to waivers after he coughed up 13 runs (12 earned) over 10.2 frames for Detroit. The righty has been unable to translate his plus velocity into consistent results at the major-league level, with his career 11.1 percent walk rate being a big reason for that.

Kirk isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Detroit.

After going 6-for-19 with an RBI and two runs scored during Toronto's six-game homestand, Kirk will get a breather to begin the team's eight-game road trip. Tyler Heineman will fill in behind the plate and bat eighth for the Blue Jays.

The Mariners optioned Garcia to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Garcia got hit feet wet at the big-league level this week, surrendering two runs (one earned) with a 1:3 K:BB over two innings. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen is being absorbed by Jackson Kowar.

The Mariners recalled Kowar from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Since being optioned to Triple-A in mid-June, Kowar has given up six runs (three earned) over nine innings while striking out 12 batters and walking seven. He owns a 2.08 ERA through 8.2 frames with the Mariners this year, but his career 8.38 ERA will keep him limited to a low-leverage role in Seattle's bullpen. Brandyn Garcia was optioned to Tacoma in a corresponding move.