MLB Player News

Sanchez (ankle) began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Sanchez has been participating in running and hitting drills at the Jays' complex in Florida since July 6, though Thursday marks the first time he's played in a game after landing on the IL with a sprained ankle in late June. He'll move up to Single-A Dunedin on Friday before joining Triple-A Buffalo early next week, seemingly putting him on pace to rejoin the big club at the end of July or early August.

Gilbert (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, Brooke Fletcher of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Gilbert has been cleared to test things out in a game setting after missing the past six-plus weeks with a left shoulder impingement. The lefty will likely require a handful of rehab outings before being returned to the active roster.

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

Tolbert looked to be next in line to start at shortstop after Bobby Witt (back) landed on the injured list Wednesday, but the former will miss out on the starting nine for a second straight game Thursday in favor of Andrew Velazquez.

Caglianone (shoulder) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Caglianone will now miss a second consecutive start after injuring his shoulder while making a diving attempt in the outfield during Tuesday's contest. Nick Loftin will start in right field and bat eighth while Caglianone takes another day to recover.

The Orioles designated Rodriguez for assignment Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Yohel Pozo. Rodriguez, 26, has slashed only .177/.288/.301 in parts of three big-league seasons.

The Orioles claimed Pozo off waivers from the Cardinals on Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Pozo will supplement Baltimore's catching depth as it navigates the losses of Adley Rutschman (wrist) and Samuel Basallo (shoulder). The 29-year-old catcher has slashed .247/.273/.363 across parts of three big-league seasons and has a 641 OPS in the minors this season. Pozo will report to Triple-A Norfolk for the time being.

The Blue Jays transferred Barger (back/elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday.

Barger initially landed on the IL back in May due to elbow inflammation, but he was shut down in late June due to a stress reaction in his back and hasn't yet resumed baseball activities. Since he's already been on the shelf for more than two months and is without a timeline for a return, his move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural. The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Rudy Martin, whom the Blue Jays claimed off waivers from the Orioles on Thursday.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Thursday that Scherzer's (back/thumb) next start could be in the majors, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer struck out seven over five perfect innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. He had been slated for one more rehab outing, but the righty's performance Wednesday -- along with the Blue Jays losing long reliever Patrick Corbin (teres major) to injury -- could push up Scherzer's timeline. Scherzer threw only 56 pitches Wednesday, so if he does start Monday against the Nationals, he would be facing a restricted workload. The 41-year-old has missed more than a month with back and thumb problems.

Schlittler is now slated to start Friday in Philadelphia, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Will Warren was originally scheduled to make the start Friday, but he was deployed for two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Pittsburgh. Consequently, Schlittler -- who had previously been penciled in to start Sunday -- is moving up a couple of days, though he'll still be operating on a normal four days of rest. Schlittler will be looking for better results than in his first start of the second half, when he gave up three runs over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Dodgers.

Warren earned a hold in the second game of a doubleheader against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Warren had been scheduled to start Tuesday, but that game was rained out. Max Fried returned from a lengthy absence to start the second game of Wednesday's twin bill while Gerrit Cole started the matinee, leaving Warren to make his first relief appearance of the season. The right-hander had been penciled in as New York's starter Friday for the opening game of a series in Philadelphia, but the Yankees have since shifted him to Sunday, with Cam Schlittler now scheduled to take the mound Friday and Ryan Weathers following Saturday, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.