MLB Player News

The next step in Javier's (shoulder) throwing progression will be a minor-league rehab start, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Javier has been sidelined due to a Grade 2 right shoulder strain since early April, and he currently resides on the 60-day IL. The right-hander tossed live batting practice Friday, and that apparently went well enough for the organization to decide that he's ready for game action. Javier will likely need multiple minor-league outings before he's activated, but a return to the big-league club before the end of June seems possible.

Helsley (elbow) threw 15-to-20 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday and may be nearing a minor-league rehab assignment, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Helsley resumed a throwing program by playing catch in mid-May, and he's now progressed to throwing off a mound. The veteran reliever has been on the shelf for over four weeks due to right elbow inflammation, so he'll presumably need multiple rehab outings before being activated. Helsley went 7-for-7 in save chances before getting hurt, and he's fully expected to retake the Orioles' closer role upon his return.

Seager (back) fielded groundballs and participated in live batting practice Saturday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Seager had been slated to face live pitching last weekend, but that was scrapped because the veteran shortstop hadn't been recovering as well as hoped. However, Seager's activity level Saturday suggests that he's making progress toward a return. Manager Skip Schumaker said that Seager's live batting practice Saturday went well.

O'Hoppe isn't in the Angels' starting lineup versus Tampa Bay on Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

O'Hoppe continues to have a rough season at the plate -- overall, he has a .545 OPS through 37 games, and he's gone 3-for-17 across his past six contests. Sebastian Rivero is getting a start behind the dish in O'Hoppe's stead Saturday.

The Blue Jays selected Juenger's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Juenger has pitched well for Buffalo this season, posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB with three saves over 20 innings spanning 17 appearances (including two starts). He's taking the roster spot of Austin Voth, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Juenger hasn't tossed more than two innings in any outing this season, so he's likely slated for a role at the back of Toronto's bullpen.

Toronto designated Voth for assignment Saturday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Voth was brought up to the big-league roster Wednesday and gave up five runs on five hits and four walks over 3.1 innings in bulk relief Friday. He's subsequently lost his place on the the 40-man roster in favor of Hayden Juenger, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday in a corresponding transaction.

Hill has been removed from Saturday's starting lineup versus Detroit due to upper-back tightness, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Hill had been penciled in as Chicago's No. 6 batter and center fielder, but the back issue will prevent him from starting Saturday. In his place, Rikuu Nishida is starting in center field and batting ninth.

Sogard (side) is starting at shortstop and batting fifth for the Red Sox on Saturday versus Cleveland, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Sogard has been dealing with a side injury and didn't start Friday. However, he entered as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and finished the game at first base, suggesting that the side issue isn't severe. Indeed, Sogard is back in the lineup Saturday, and he seems to have seized a regular role at second base while Marcelo Mayer has shifted to shortstop in the wake of Trevor Story's absence due to a sport hernia.

Murakami has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain and is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Murakami suffered the injury while running to first base after hitting a grounder Friday versus Detroit. The star rookie landed on the 10-day IL earlier Saturday, and he will miss far more than the minimum. While Murakami is sidelined, Miguel Vargas is expected to move from the hot corner to make most of the team's starts at first base, and Colson Montgomery is shifting from shortstop to third base for Saturday's contest.

Walls (hamstring) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth for the Rays on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls missed each of Tampa Bay's past three games due to a hamstring issue, but he's feeling well enough to return to action Saturday. Three different players started at shortstop for the Rays while Walls was sidelined, and Ben Williamson -- who played the position Friday -- is sliding over to second base for Saturday's matchup.