MLB Player News

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the White Sox.

The Blue Jays and White Sox are wrapping up their series with a day game, so Kirk will get a breather after starting each of the last four contests. Tyler Heineman will step in at catcher and bat eighth as Toronto goes for its 11th straight victory.

Springer is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Springer will get some rest during Wednesday's matinee after starting the previous 12 contests. The Blue Jays will give Vladimir Guerrero a start in the designated-hitter spot, while Will Wagner will cover first base.

Scherzer (thumb) is listed as the Blue Jays' probable starter for Friday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento.

Though Scherzer continued to deal with inflammation in his right thumb during his most recent start last Saturday against the Angels, he'll be ready to take the hill for his next turn through the rotation on five days' rest. Scherzer has yet to reach 90 pitches in any of his four appearances this season, and with the All-Star break looming, the Blue Jays may not be willing to overextend him during Friday's start.

The White Sox sent Booser (shoulder) to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Booser has been cleared to pitch in games after missing the last two-plus weeks with a left shoulder strain. Because his absence has been relatively brief, Booser shouldn't require too many rehab outings before rejoining Chicago's bullpen.

The Royals signed Keuchel to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, Keuchel held a workout for teams last week and touched 92 miles per hour with his fastball. He will be assigned to Triple-A Omaha and would make a prorated $2 million if called up by Kansas City. The 37-year-old Keuchel posted a 5.40 ERA in four starts for the Brewers last season before finishing the campaign pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Chiba Lotte Marines.

The Yankees designated Hartlieb for assignment Wednesday.

Hartlieb will give up his spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster to right-hander Cam Schlittler, who was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start Wednesday's game against the Mariners. Hartlieb has made two appearances out of the Yankees bullpen this season, giving up six earned runs in 1.1 innings.

Jeffers went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double, three RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Cubs.

Jeffers notched his second three-hit game in as many starts, which included a two-run homer in the eighth to push the Twins ahead 4-0. The runs batted in were his first since June 24. He's now up to a .246/.342/.400 slash line with seven homers, 32 RBI, 28 runs and a 31:50 BB:K in 275 plate appearances this season.

Castro went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Cubs.

Castro got involved during a six-run eighth inning for the Twins, taking Porter Hodge deep to extend the lead. The long ball was Castro's first since June 13, and he's now hit safely in six of seven games so far in July. Castro currently sports a 10.3 percent walk rate, which would be the best mark of his career. He's slashing .269/.362/.436 with eight homers, 21 RBI, 39 runs, eight steals and a 27:64 BB:K in 269 plate appearances this season.

The Yankees selected Schlittler's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Mariners in New York.

The Yankees designated reliever Geoff Hartlieb for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Schlittler, who will join the rotation Wednesday as a replacement for the injured Clarke Schmidt (forearm). The 24-year-old Schlittler had his worst start of the season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre his last time out July 2 (six earned runs allowed over 2.1 innings), but he's been effective on the whole between stops at Triple-A and Double-A Somerset, logging a 2.82 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 99:26 K:BB in 76.2 innings. If he's able to acquit himself well in his MLB debut, Schlittler could be in line for multiple turns through the New York rotation until Luis Gil (lat) or Ryan Yarbrough (oblique) returns from the injured list.

Bader went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a stolen base in Tuesday's win over the Cubs.

Bader smashed the Twins' third home run of the evening, sending a Porter Hodge sweeper 446 feet to left-center field in the eighth inning. Bader now has four homers and seven RBI over his last four games and is hitting .300 in nine games since June 27. He's fighting for an everyday spot in the lineup, and at the moment, it will be hard for manager Rocco Baldelli to keep Bader on the bench with how well he's been swinging the bat.