MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Bieber (elbow) could begin pitching in rehab games by the end of next week "if all goes well," Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The right-hander has been brought along slowly this season after he dealt with some inflammation in his surgically repaired elbow this spring. He's been throwing against live hitters for nearly two weeks, and with Bieber having avoided any setbacks, he appears poised to advance to the final phase of his rehab. He's expected to require four or five minor-league starts before being activated from the 60-day injured list, so he's unlikely to be a realistic option for the Toronto rotation until late June.

Verlander (hip) completed a four-inning, 62-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

In lieu of a rehab assignment, Verlander has remained with the Tigers and has been getting gradually stretched back out through simulated games. The 43-year-old righty has needed more time than expected to recover from left hip inflammation, but he may need to complete just one more sim game before Detroit brings him back from the 60-day injured list around when he's first eligible at the beginning of June. According to Beck, Verlander's fastball velocity sat around 92-to-93 mph during Wednesday's throwing session, putting him a tick or two behind his average velocity during his time with the Giants in 2025.

The Astros are expected to call up Santa from Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It appears Santa will be called up to the majors ahead of the Astros' weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago. The move will bolster an Astros bullpen operating without Bennett Sousa (elbow) and Josh Hader (biceps). Santa has appeared in 18 games in Triple-A this season and has a 1.42 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, two saves and a 24:7 K:BB across 19 innings. His first appearance out of the Astros' bullpen will be his major-league debut.

Crochet (shoulder) threw two innings in an up-and-down bullpen session Wednesday, Christopher Smith of Masslive.com reports.

Crochet will throw a brief side session Friday or Saturday before tossing his first live batting practice next week. The 26-year-old southpaw is progressing in his recovery from left shoulder inflammation that landed him on the 15-day injured list in late April. The Red Sox should have a better sense of Crochet's recovery timeline after his live session next week.

The Angels outrighted Manoah to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Manoah had been optioned to Triple-A on Sunday, but the Angels evidently designated the right-hander for assignment at some point thereafter. He cleared waivers and will now remain in the organization as starting depth at Salt Lake. Before being sent back to the minors, Manoah made three relief appearances for the Angels, posting a 9.82 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and 5:8 K:BB in 7.1 innings.

The Angels optioned Johnson to Double-A Rocket City following Tuesday's 14-6 loss to the Athletics.

Johnson has allowed eight runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters in five innings across his three outings since being reinstated from the 15-day IL on May 13. He'll head down to Double-A to work on his command issues, with the Angels recalling southpaw Tayler Saucedo from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

The Angels recalled Saucedo from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

It's the second time this season that Saucedo has been called up by the big club, with his lone major-league appearance coming against the Mets on May 3, when he allowed one run while striking out two batters across two-thirds of an inning. In Triple-A this season, Saucedo has a 4.82 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 20:13 K:BB across 18.2 innings. In a corresponding move, right-hander Ryan Johnson was optioned to Double-A Rocket City following the Angels' 14-6 loss to the Athletics on Tuesday.

Butler is not in the Athletics' starting lineup against the Angels on Wednesday.

The lefty-hitting Butler did not start Tuesday due to the Angels sending southpaw Reid Detmers to the mound. Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz is starting for the Halos on Wednesday, but Butler will be on the bench for a third consecutive game while the Athletics go with Tyler Soderstrom, Henry Bolte and Carlos Cortes in the outfield from left to right. Butler has struggled at the plate this season, and since May 1 he has gone 6-for-37 (.162) with one RBI, six runs and an 8:13 BB:K. He appears to be in danger of losing his strong-side platoon role.

Moncada is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Athletics on Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Moncada will open Wednesday's game on the bench while Vaughn Grissom starts at third base and Oswald Peraza gets the nod at the keystone. Moncada has gone 6-for-28 (.214) with one steal and one RBI since May 1.

Hoglund (knee/back) will be sidelined for the rest of the 2026 season after undergoing surgery on his left hip Monday.

It's the same procedure that Hoglund underwent in June of 2025, which also caused him to miss the rest of the season. He opened the 2026 campaign on the IL due to a sprained right knee and a lumbar spine strain and was given a cortisone shot for his left hip in early May. His hip apparently didn't recover as hoped, however, so he's now headed for another procedure. The added time on the shelf should at least allow his knee and back issues to resolve. Hoglund will be sidelined for the rest of the 2026 campaign and will aim to be fully healthy for spring training.