MLB Player News

Ober (elbow) is optimistic about throwing off the mound this weekend, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

It would be the first time he's thrown from the bump since he was diagnosed with a right flexor strain at the beginning of June. Ober has been shelved for less than three weeks, so it shouldn't take him too long to get built back up once he does resume throwing off the mound. He's collected a 4.59 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 46:18 K:BB over 66.2 innings this season.

Abel (elbow) will travel with the Twins to Arizona this weekend and appears in line to return from the 15-day injured list for a start Sunday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The Twins are seemingly just waiting for Abel to get through one more bullpen session before officially clearing him to rejoin the rotation for their series finale with the Diamondbacks. The right-hander has been sidelined since mid-April with elbow inflammation, but he's been terrific in two rehab starts with Triple-A St. Paul, yielding just one earned run with a 10:0 K:BB over eight innings. Abel threw 61 pitches in his last rehab start, so he would be limited from a workload perspective if he does indeed take the ball for the big club Sunday.

Thomas went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's win over the Nationals.

Thomas was one of four Royals to go deep, blasting an elevated fastball from Zack Littell over the wall in left-center field for a solo shot in the third inning. It marked Thomas' second homer in as many games and his third over the past five contests. The outfielder is slashing .267/.389/.556 with four homers, eight RBI and nine runs scored through 15 appearances in June. He started in center field Wednesday and has seen regular looks there and in right field of late, with Kyle Isbel (foot) hurt and Jac Caglianone shifting to first base in the absence of Vinnie Pasquantino (hand).

The Mariners signed Wilson to a minor-league contract Sunday and assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma.

Wilson has gotten off to a hot start at the plate since reporting to Tacoma earlier this week, going 6-for-9 with a double, a walk and a pair of stolen bases in his first two games. The 31-year-old had previously spent the start of the season with the Orioles, slashing .231/.348/.333 over 46 plate appearances in 21 games before being pushed off the 40-man roster earlier this month and electing free agency upon clearing waivers.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Varsho (wrist) could be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Saturday, but he will "have to do a lot today and tomorrow" in order to make that happen, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Varsho resumed hitting this week as he works his way back from left wrist inflammation. If the outfielder is not quite ready to return to the active roster this weekend, he might need a rehab game or two in order to knock the rust off. Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw have been handling center field for Toronto since Varsho went down.

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.