Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers - News - June 18, 2023 | FOX Sports

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・June 18, 2023 June 18 Jun 18

Rangers top Blue Jays 11-7, led by Taveras' 3 RBIs (3-5)

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Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX

Zach Pop - Restarts rehab assignmentPop (hamstring) restarted a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

ImpactPop had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment earlier this month following a setback with his right hamstring, but he returned to game action over the weekend and is slated for another appearance with Buffalo on Wednesday. The reliever might be ready for activation after that if he can avoid another setback.

JUNE 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Blue Jays' Kirk placed on 10-day IL with hand lacerationKirk is slashing .253/.337/.331 with three home runs and 21 RBIs this season.

JUNE 19, 2023•THEATHLETIC.COM

Bowden Francis - Heads back to BuffaloThe Blue Jays optioned Francis to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

ImpactToronto will swap Francis out of its bullpen for a fresher arm in Trent Thornton, who was called up from Buffalo in a corresponding move. Francis had most recently covered 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen Saturday against the Rangers, striking out two while allowing four baserunners. As he returns to the minors, Francis will likely get stretched back out for starting duty.

JUNE 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Trent Thornton - Makes return to big leaguesThe Blue Jays recalled Thornton from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

ImpactHe'll join the big club for the first time this season after he had previously been optioned to Triple-A late in spring training. Over 23.2 innings out of the Buffalo bullpen, Thornton pitched to a 3.04 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 22:14 K:BB. He'll presumably be limited to lower-leverage spots in relief while he's up with the big club.

JUNE 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Tyler Heineman - Back with big clubThe Blue Jays recalled Heineman from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

ImpactHe'll provide the Blue Jays with an extra body at catcher behind No. 1 backstop Danny Jansen after Alejandro Kirk (hand) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday. Jansen should handle the bulk of the work behind the dish while Kirk is on the shelf, so Heineman may be in store for just a couple starts per week during his upcoming stint in the big leagues.

JUNE 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Alejandro Kirk - Heads to ILThe Blue Jays placed Kirk (hand) on the 10-day injured list Monday.

ImpactKirk sustained a laceration in addition to some bruising to his left hand after being hit by a pitch in Sunday's 11-7 loss to the Rangers, and the Blue Jays evidently determined that his injury wasn't something he would fully recover from in just a couple of days. As a result, Kirk will hit the shelf for what could be a minimum-length stay, provided he doesn't experience any setbacks once he resumes baseball activities. Toronto called up Tyler Heineman from Triple-A Buffalo to provide depth behind top backstop Danny Jansen.

JUNE 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Whit Merrifield - Sitting MondayMerrifield is not in the starting lineup Monday versus the Marlins.

ImpactMerrifield will take a seat after he went 3-for-12 with two RBI and a run scored while starting all three games of the team's series with Texas. The 34-year-old has now recorded at least one hit in 10 consecutive games, batting .361 with two doubles, four RBI, two runs and two stolen bases over that stretch. Cavan Biggio will replace him at second base and bat eighth in the series opener with Miami.

JUNE 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE