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Votto (ankle/back) resumed his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Tuesday before shifting his assignment to Single-A Dunedin later in the week and going 0-for-6 with a strikeout in his first two games in the Florida State League.

Advice: After experiencing lower-back tightness coming out of his third rehab game in the FCL on June 19, Votto was held out of action for a little less than a week before returning to the lineup. Votto will continue to stockpile at-bats in the lower levels of the minors before eventually making his way to Triple-A Buffalo and getting activated from the affiliate's 7-day injured list. If Votto performs well at Buffalo, he could be in the mix for a promotion to Toronto's big-league roster at some point in the second half of the season. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:03 am

Severino did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk over seven innings against the Astros. He struck out three.

Advice: Severino was highly efficient if not incredibly effective, needing just 79 pitches to complete seven innings despite allowing four runs and nine baserunners while throwing a first-pitch strike to just 13 of 28 batters. He also struck out only three after fanning a season-high 10 batters in his previous outing. It's the fifth consecutive start in which he's gone at least six innings, though it's the second time within those starts that he allowed at least four earned runs. Severino's next opportunity to toe the rubber is slated to take place next weekend when the Mets travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates. Rotowire.com Sunday, 7:54 pm

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) resumed playing catch from 60 feet Sunday and "felt good," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Advice: The 41-year-old's return to throwing is an encouraging development after he was shut down for a bit while recovering from neck soreness. Given the prolonged shutdown period, Verlander shouldn't be expected to return from the injured list when first eligible this week and will likely need to make a minor-league rehab start prior to being activated. Rotowire.com Sunday, 2:41 pm

Soto (hand) will start in right field and bat second Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Advice: The 25-year-old was originally slated to sit Sunday and said he may undergo an MRI or CT scan Monday when the Yankees are back in New York, so his late addition to the lineup is a major surprise. It's unclear if Soto will still require any of the medical imaging, but he's apparently feeling well enough to play despite experiencing some pain and weakness in his bruised right hand Saturday. Rotowire.com Sunday, 10:45 am