MLB Player News

Rooker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

The Athletics will send Rooker to the bench for the second time in four contests, with both of his absences coming in day games after night games. Since rejoining the Athletics on April 26 following a stint on the injured list, Rooker hasn't been able to gain much momentum at the dish. He's slashing just .206/.289/.373 while striking out at a 30.7 percent clip over the past month.

The Blue Jays selected Voth's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Voth will provide the bullpen with some protection after the Blue Jays used five pitchers in Tuesday's win over the Marlins. He's grabbed the roster spot vacated by Tanner Andrews.

The Blue Jays transferred Kirk (thumb) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

Kirk has been on the shelf since April 4 while recovering from left thumb surgery and isn't expected to head out on a rehab assignment until next weekend at the soonest, so his placement on the 60-day IL won't affect his timeline to rejoin the Blue Jays. The transaction will clear up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Austin Voth, who had his contract selected Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.

The Blue Jays optioned Andrews to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Andrews logged a pair of scoreless appearances after getting his first big-league promotion earlier this week. The Blue Jays are replacing him with a fresh bullpen arm in Austin Voth, who was called up from Triple-A.

Kirk (thumb) is aiming to start hitting off a pitching machine this weekend before beginning a rehab assignment by the start of the Blue Jays' June 5-14 homestand, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Kirk has been catching bullpen sessions and taking live batting practice at the club's spring training complex in Florida, and game action is just around the corner. Assuming he's able to kick off a rehab assignment at the start of the Blue Jays' next homestand, he should be activated by mid-June. Kirk has been shelved since early April after having surgery to repair a fractured left thumb.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Barger (elbow) will resume throwing "probably [Thursday]," Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Barger's recovery from right elbow inflammation has come along more slowly than expected, but he's poised to take a big step forward Thursday. He's already missed more than two weeks and could require a rehab assignment before returning to the Blue Jays' active roster.

Valenzuela is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Valenzuela will be rested for Wednesday's matinee affair after he went 2-for-4 with a run scored while catching all nine innings of the Blue Jays' 8-1 win Tuesday night. Tyler Heineman will replace Valenzuela behind the dish in the series finale.

Guerrero (elbow) will start at first base and bat second in Wednesday's game versus the Marlins.

Guerrero missed the last two contests with a right elbow contusion, but he's improved enough to give it a go in Wednesday's series finale. The slugger has had a rough May, as he will enter action Wednesday having slashed only .187/.312/.227 this month.

Springer is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Toronto is concluding its three-game series against Miami with an afternoon game following a night game, so Springer will exit the starting nine in what looks to be a planned rest day. Jesus Sanchez will get a turn as Toronto's designated hitter in place of Springer, who had started each of the last nine games. After struggling mightily at the plate initially upon his return from the injured list April 30, Springer has rounded into form over those last nine starts, slashing .289/.357/.579 with three home runs, two stolen bases, six RBI and five runs.

Murakami went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's extra-innings loss to the Twins.

Murakami blasted his 19th homer of the season with a rocket to right, and he ranks second in the majors in that category, trailing only Kyle Schwarber. The power is real for Murakami, who has an outstanding .313 ISO and .917 OPS in 54 games this season. He's the definition of a three-true-outcomes hitter, as he also has 77 strikeouts and 41 walks across 235 plate appearances. He's either homered, struck out or walked in nearly 59 percent of his plate appearances this season.