Springer Bieber Toronto Bound After Final Triple-A Appearance

George Springer and Shane Bieber are expected to rejoin the team after their appearance with triple-A Buffalo on Friday, manager John Schneider told reporters ahead of their tilt with the Texas Rangers.

Bieber, acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, is scheduled to start in what would be his final rehab outing working back from Tommy John surgery.

The right-hander will make his third appearance with the Bisons. He has pitched through five innings, recording six strikeouts in each start.

Springer, who hit the 7-day concussion injured list on Aug. 1, after being hit on the head by a pitch a few days earlier, played in his first action since being hurt on Thursday and will DH one more time before returning to the majors.

Schneider announced earlier this week that the plan was for Bieber to try and reach 85 pitches his next trip out, while today, he said Springer will take as many at-bats as he needs before the pair will jump in a car and head north of the border.

Elsewhere in the organization, switch-hitting slugger Anthony Santander has resumed swinging from both sides of the plate and will start a full hitting progression. He has been on the injured list since May 30 with a shoulder ailment.

Yimi Garcia is still experiencing ulnar nerve symptoms and has returned to Toronto for further evaluation. Nick Sandlin (elbow) is continuing to throw in Dunedin, and Bowden Francis (shoulder) has also begun a throwing progression.

Toronto kicks off a three-game set against the Rangers at 7:07 p.m. ET, while Buffalo is at home facing the Lehigh Valley IronPigs with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. ET.