Report: Blue Jays have been scouting Martin Prado, Aaron Hill, and Chase Headley - MLB

ESPN’s Jim Bowden reports that the Blue Jays have heavily scouted Martin Prado, Aaron Hill, and Chase Headley. The Jays could use an upgrade at second base as they’ve been relying on the light-hitting Munenori Kawasaki. They could also use an upgrade at third base, having recently lost Brett Lawrie to a broken finger. At the very least, they could use a right-handed hitter to platoon with Juan Francisco.

All three hitters, however, are having poor seasons. Prado and Hill have a .673 and .653 OPS for the Diamondbacks, respectively. Headley has a .605 OPS for the Padres. Headley is earning just over $10.5 million and can venture into free agency after the season. Prado is owed $11 million for this season as well as in each of the next two seasons. Hill is earning $11 million this season and $12 million in 2015-16.

The Jays enter Friday’s action at 47-40 in a virtual tie with the Orioles for first place in the AL East. They lead the third-place Yankees by 3.5 games.

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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle appear set to rejoin the New York Yankees ahead of their series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots, saying that infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero had been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook after a 1-0 loss at Seattle.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton potentially returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.