MLB Player News

Caissie hasn't been in the lineup the last two days due to neck spasms, MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old likely would have sat Wednesday anyway against southpaw Noah Cameron, but Caissie's absence Thursday against right-hander Michael Wacha was a hint that something was amiss. He was apparently available off the bench for the series finale in Kansas City, although he went unused. Caissie will likely sit again Friday against lefty Shota Imanaga, but if he continues to improve he could slot back in as the right fielder Saturday with Clay Holmes on the bump for the Cubs.

Peck is not in the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Peck started at shortstop each of the last two days and will likely man the position in Friday's nightcap, but he'll begin the matinee on the bench. Javier Baez will cover shortstop and bat ninth in the first game of the twin bill.

Bateman went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Thursday's win over the Guardians.

It's Bateman's third three-hit performance in his last 11 games as he continues to provide a jolt to the top of the Blue Jays' batting order. Over that stretch, the rookie center fielder has a stunning .395/.449/.488 slash line with two doubles, a triple, two steals, three RBI and 10 runs scored.

Smith went 0-for-2 with three walks and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Guardians.

Starting at third base and batting sixth, Smith didn't manage to put the ball in play on the night, striking out twice in addition to his walks. Through 16 games for the Blue Jays since being picked up from the Rangers at the trade deadline, Smith has delivered a .250/.368/.531 slash line -- a remarkable turnaround from the .213/.299/.272 line he'd limped to in Texas this season. Per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, Smith's improvement can be largely attributed to tweaks with his swing suggested by his new hitting coaches that have upped his bat speed from 68.3 mph with the Rangers to 74.0 mph during Wednesday's game. "[It's about] knowing what I'm best at," Smith said Thursday about the adjustments. "Like how the way my body is moving when it's best, the type of load patterns and stuff like that. They've really helped out."

The Guardians designated Hernandez for assignment Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was summoned Tuesday when rosters expanded, and he allowed two runs over three innings of work covering two appearances this week. The veteran reliever will likely pass through waivers unclaimed, and if that happens he would have the ability to elect free agency.

The Guardians recalled Peterson from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Peterson was added to the Guardians' 40-man roster last offseason, but this will be his first stint in the big leagues. The 26-year-old has logged a 4.53 ERA and 102:34 K:BB across 95.1 frames this season with Columbus. Peterson will likely be needed to cover some innings during Friday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

The Guardians activated Cecconi (arm) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cecconi has been sidelined for nearly a month with right arm fatigue, but he's been cleared to return after allowing two runs over 3.2 innings in two rehab outings. The right-hander will be used in a relief role down the stretch, and there's a good chance he'll be needed to pitch during Friday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Gimenez went 1-for-5 with a stolen base in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Guardians.

The former Cleveland shortstop swiped his first bag since Aug. 20 to reach 20 for the fourth time in his career. Gimenez has been finding ways to contribute at the plate down the stretch, and over 27 games since the beginning of August he's produced a .281/.337/.360 slash line with one homer, eight steals, nine runs and 11 RBI.

The Guardians placed Holderman on the 15-day injured list Friday with right wrist inflammation, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Holderman first developed the wrist issue in mid-August, and it's continued to nag at him enough to finally force an IL stint. The righty reliever will be eligible for activation Sept. 19, but it's unclear whether he will be ready to go on that date.

Rogers worked a scoreless eighth inning Thursday to record his 30th hold of the season in a 6-3 win over the Guardians. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The veteran reliever hit Brayan Rocchio with a pitch, but it was otherwise an efficient appearance from Rogers, who needed just nine pitches (six strikes) to protect a 5-3 lead before the Blue Jays tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Rogers has reached 30 holds for a fourth straight season and the fifth time in his career, and he's got a strong chance of topping the career high of 33 he set with the Giants in 2024.