MLB Player News

Swanson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Swanson threw a simulated game Saturday, and if his upcoming bullpen session goes well he could be sent on a rehab assignment. He's progressing in his recovery from carpal tunnel in his right elbow, but barring any setbacks he could return in early May. Swanson appeared in 45 games for the Blue Jays in 2024 and registered a 5.03 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 37:14 K:BB across 39.1 innings.

Varsho (shoulder) will move his rehab assignment from Single-A Dunedin to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Varsho went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts in two games at Single-A, but he's progressed enough in his recovery from right shoulder surgery in September to continue rehabbing in Triple-A. The 28-year-old outfielder will be evaluated by the Blue Jays later this week, and there's a chance he could be activated from the 10-day injured list during this weekend's series against the Yankees.

Loaisiga (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa on Saturday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Loaisiga is just over 12 months removed from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow and has finally been cleared for game appearances. His rehab assignment figures to be a lengthy one given how much time he's missed. Loaisiga could work his way back into high-leverage relief situations for the Yankees, but it will take a while.

Nido is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Monday's game against the Padres.

Nido will give Dillon Dingler a breather, as the latter started both Saturday and Sunday behind the plate. Nido is Detroit's backup catcher for the time being with Jake Rogers (oblique) on the injured list, and the veteran has played well in a small sample, collecting four hits in nine at-bats so far.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

Dingler started both Saturday and Sunday behind the plate after getting a rest Friday, and he'll retreat to the bench in favor of Tomas Nido on Monday. The 26-year-old is Detroit's top catching option at the moment with Jake Rogers (oblique) on the injured list, while Nido provides veteran depth. Dingler figures to return to the lineup Tuesday.

Sweeney will start at shortstop and bat eighth Monday against the Padres, and he could see more time at the position with Javier Baez set to serve as the team's primary center fielder for the time being, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Sweeney was already seeing plenty of time at short, though he was getting some days off against lefties, with Baez picking up starts at his natural position of shortstop. However, with Baez set to focus more on center field, at least until the likes of Parker Meadows (shoulder) and Wenceel Perez (back) are able to return, Sweeney may have to cover short more frequently in the near term, including in matchups against southpaws. He'll face San Diego righty starter Randy Vasquez on Monday.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Ort (oblique) could be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort has made five rehab appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land allowing three runs (two earned) with a 4:3 K:BB over 4.1 frames. He's been working his way back from a left oblique strain. Ort was superb during his 24.2 innings with Houston last season, holding a 2.55 ERA with a 26:4 K:BB.

The Astros hope McCullers (forearm/illness) will be ready to throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers had to be scratched from his last scheduled rehab appearance this past Friday due to a stomach bug. If the right-hander is able to get through a bullpen session in the coming days without issue, he'll resume his rehab assignment this weekend. McCullers had been tracking toward a season debut by late April, but that timeline could be pushed back a bit.

Scherzer (thumb) played catch in the outfield at Daikin Park prior to Monday's game versus the Astros, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said afterward that Scherzer felt the session went "OK." The right-hander was throwing for the first time since receiving a second cortisone injection in his injured right thumb last week. Scherzer's timetable to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation remains very much up in the air.

Kirby (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at T-Mobile Park this week, Daniel Kremer of MLB.com reports.

Kirby has thrown several bullpen sessions at the Mariners' spring training complex in Arizona and is almost ready to face hitters for the first time since coming down with right shoulder inflammation in early March. Mariners general manager Justin Hollander indicated Sunday that Kirby could be ready to rejoin the rotation in "May or June," although any timetable at this juncture is approximate. Emerson Hancock is currently filling Kirby's spot in Seattle's rotation.