MLB Player News

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Scherzer (back) will travel to Dallas on Friday to get a cortisone shot to "help alleviate some left side stuff," Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer landed on the 15-day injured list last week because of back spasms, and it seems his side discomfort is related to that. The veteran hurler threw another bullpen session Thursday, and he will return to Toronto following Friday's cortisone shot before the next steps in his rehab are determined.

The White Sox will recall Sandlin from Triple-A Charlotte to start Friday's game against the Royals, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Sandlin has given up 12 earned runs in 13.1 frames with the White Sox this season, but he's logged a 2.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 11 innings at Charlotte since his last MLB appearance. The 25-year-old righty will now get another chance to showcase his talents in the big leagues but will likely make just the one start before returning to Triple-A, as Noah Schultz (knee) is expected to return from the injured list next week to fill the opening in Chicago's rotation.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Detroit.

Diaz started all three games at catcher in Toronto earlier this week, so he's earned a breather during Thursday's series opener. Christian Vazquez will be behind the dish and will bat ninth for the Astros.

Miller (3-2) took the loss Thursday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on five hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out 11.

Miller turned in another excellent outing Thursday, logging a season-high 11 strikeouts. However, he'd give up three runs on a pair of homers, which proved to be enough to stick him with the loss in an eventual 3-1 defeat. Miller now has at least seven strikeouts in each of his last four starts and has yet to give up more than three runs in any of his first eight outings after spending the first six weeks of the season on the IL. Overall, Miller's ERA sits at a pristine 1.97 with a 0.72 WHIP and 54:5 K:BB across 45.2 innings. He's currently in line to face the Angels at home his next time out.

Jung is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Jung -- who had started every game since May 26 -- went hitless during the Rangers' last series in Miami, so he'll get a day to regroup. Ezequiel Duran will play the hot corner in Thursday's series opener versus the Blue Jays.

Melton (ankle) went 1-for-4 with a run scored Wednesday in his return to the Triple-A Durham lineup after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Melton was back in action at Durham for the first time since April 18 after a left ankle sprain kept him on the shelf for more than two months. Prior to being activated, Melton completed a five-game rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, where he went 6-for-11 with a home run, two stolen bases and three walks.

The Astros optioned Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Gordon's stint with the Astros lasted only one day, and he did not make an appearance. He's clearing off the roster to free a spot for Bryan Abreu (personal), who is back from the restricted list.

The Astros activated Abreu from the restricted list Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Abreu missed the series in Toronto earlier this week as he tended to a personal matter, but he's back for the weekend series in Detroit. Colton Gordon was sent down in a corresponding roster move.

The Rangers placed Freeman on the 10-day injured list Thursday due to a herniated disc.

Freeman missed the first two months of the season with a lower-back fracture, though it's unclear if this injury is related. The utility player is 4-for-17 at the dish during his brief time in the majors this season.

Clement (hip) will start at shortstop and bat second Thursday against the Rangers.

Left hip soreness forced Clement to miss four starts in the past six games, but he was able to appear as a pinch hitter Wednesday and will now return to the starting nine for Thursday's series opener. The 30-year-old infielder has fallen into a cold spell at the plate recently, going just 2-for-19 with a walk and a run scored across his last six games.