MLB Player News

Santander (shoulder) could resume hitting within the next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Santander underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder in February, but he "could definitely be a factor" for the Blue Jays by August, manager John Schneider said Thursday. A timetable for Santander's return won't become clearer until he's ready for a rehab assignment, and he will need the equivalent of a full spring training's worth of at-bats before being activated.

Sosa (wrist) could begin a rehab assignment next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Out since late May with a right wrist contusion, Sosa has been hitting and going through defensive drills as the Blue Jays' spring training complex in Florida. He is likely a week or so away from playing in games and should rejoin the Blue Jays around July 1.

Barger (elbow) might not begin a rehab assignment until early next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barger continues to make progress with his right elbow inflammation but could need an additional few more days than expected to ramp up activities before he's cleared to play in games. He should still be able to return to the Blue Jays' active roster before the end of June.

Bailey is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.

Bailey started Wednesday's night game at catcher, so he'll get a breather during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Austin Hedges will grab a start behind the dish as the Guardians look to avoid the sweep.

Kwan is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.

The left-handed-hitting Kwan is slashing just .162/.284/.203 versus lefty pitchers this season, and this is the fifth time over the last seven contests that he's been out of the lineup against a southpaw (in this case, Shane Drohan). David Fry will handle left field and Stuart Fairchild will play center field for the Guardians.

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Boston.

Kirk started behind the dish each of the last three games, so he will get some rest during Thursday's matinee. Brandon Valenzuela will start at catcher and bat eighth as the Blue Jays look to complete the series sweep.

Springer went 0-for-3 with two stolen bases in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.

The Blue Jays evidently liked seeing Mickey Gasper working behind the plate for Boston, as they went 5-for-5 on steal attempts against him during the game. Springer's thefts both came in the third inning after he was hit by a Jake Bennett pitch, but he was left stranded at third base by a Kazuma Okamoto groundout. Springer has just six stolen bases on the season to go along with a .212/.308/.369 slash line, seven home runs, 19 RBI and 22 runs in 52 contests, but three of those steals have come in the last two games.

Gimenez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and three stolen bases in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.

The Blue Jays evidently liked seeing Mickey Gasper working behind the plate for Boston, as they went 5-for-5 on steal attempts against him during the game. It was the third three-steal game of Gimenez's career, and his first since July 6, 2023 when he was still playing for Cleveland. It was also the 27-year-old infielder's fourth multi-hit performance in the last 10 contests, a stretch in which he's slashing .355/.394/.548 with three doubles, a homer, four RBI and six runs in addition to Wednesday's thefts.

Bieber (elbow) built up to 80 pitches Wednesday in what's likely to be his final rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo, giving up five runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out two.

The results weren't pretty, as Bieber served up homers to career minor leaguers Ryan Galanie and Andy Weber -- neither of whom are even on the 40-man roster for the White Sox -- but the veteran right-hander was sitting 91-92 mph with his fastball and topped out at 93.0 mph. With Max Scherzer (back) landing on the IL on Wednesday, the Blue Jays likely can't afford to give Bieber another rehab start to round into form. If he stays on turn, he lines up to make his 2026 big-league debut early next week at home against the Astros.

Mayer is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Mayer started each of the previous five contests, but he'll get a breather during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will occupy shortstop for the Red Sox.