MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Swanson (forearm) will resume a throwing program Wednesday or Thursday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

It will be the beginning of what Schneider referred to as a "normal-ish, maybe a little bit of an accelerated ramp-up" similar to what pitchers do at the start of spring training. Given that timetable, it sounds like Swanson will probably miss most, it not all, of April, as he works his way back from a median nerve entrapment in his right forearm.

Garcia (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Garcia has been slow-played in the Astros' camp after he encountered multiple setbacks last season while working his way back from Tommy John surgery. At last check, he was still working on regaining some zip on his fastball, and it's not clear where his velocity currently stands. When Garcia might be able to appear in games is a bit of a mystery, but he's getting closer.

The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's 8.59 ERA in nine spring appearances derailed his chances of earning a place on the Opening Day roster. Hernandez had a 2.83 ERA over 28.2 innings at Sugar Land last year but gave up seven earned runs in five regular-season outings with Houston.

Ort (oblique) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort has progressed slowly but surely from an early-camp left oblique injury. The Astros don't appear to have officially ruled him out for Opening Day yet, but it seems unlikely that he will be ready.

The Astros optioned Whitcomb to minor-league camp Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros have an opening at second base with Jose Altuve expected to move to left field, but Whitcomb never seemed to be under any real consideration to start at the keystone. He'll begin the season at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he played every position other than center field, catcher and pitcher last season.

Salazar was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini are locked in as Houston's top catchers, so it's no surprise Salazar will be opening the campaign at Triple-A. The 29-year-old had a .787 OPS in 12 regular-season games with the Astros last season and had a near-identical .788 mark in 78 contests for Sugar Land.

Alvarez was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Nationals due to right thumb soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez banged up the thumb during batting practice Sunday, and while he played in the game that day, he arrived at the park Tuesday with some discomfort. Astros manager Joe Espada expects Alvarez to be ready to play Wednesday against the Mets.

Paris went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and four RBI in Monday's Cactus League win over Arizona.

Paris doubled home a run in the second inning and cleared the bases with a three-run double in the ninth. The 23-year-old struggled mightily during stints in the majors each of the past two seasons, slashing a collective .100/.214/.165 with a 32.4 percent strikeout rate over 105 plate appearances. However, Paris worked on his swing mechanics during the offseason, and the results have been promising during the exhibition slate. He leads the Angels with 12 RBI during spring play and is slashing .364/.432/.697 with two home runs, 11 runs and three stolen bases. Paris has a chance of breaking camp with the big club, as Los Angeles will need to lean upon its infield depth early with Zach Neto (shoulder) expected to begin the campaign on the IL and Yoan Moncada (thumb) uncertain to be ready for Opening Day.

The Orioles reassigned Gordon to minor-league camp Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Gordon went just 3-for-28 at the dish this spring to ruin any chance he might have had to make the team as a utility player. He'll begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles reassigned Basallo to minor-league camp Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Basallo made a nice impression during big-league camp in clubbing a couple home runs. The 20-year-old top prospect will split time between catcher and first base with Triple-A Norfolk and could push to make his major-league debut later this season.