MLB Player News

Vazquez went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Thursday against the Athletics.

Vazquez entered Thursday's start hitless across his last 22 at-bats. However, he snapped out of the slump with an RBI double in the fourth inning, knotting the game at 2-2. Vazquez has been disappointing since joining the Astros at the trade deadline, hitting just .233 with six RBI and five runs scored across 73 at-bats.

Perez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Twins on Thursday.

Perez brought Kansas City within a run with his solo shot off Dylan Bundy in the fourth inning, but that ended up being the final run of the contest. The long ball was his 21st of the season, tied for third-most among MLB catchers. While he remains one of the league's most powerful backstops, Perez won't approach the 48 long balls he slammed last season.

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Thursday against the Guardians.

Grandal went deep in the fourth inning to tally his fifth home run of the season. Two of those long balls have come in his last nine starts, during which time he's also hit .250 with five RBI and four runs scored. However, that's hardly enough to cover up his disappointing .207/.309/.281 line across 330 plate appearances on the season.

Jeffers (thumb) will report to Triple-A St. Paul for a rehab assignment Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

There is still no target date in place for Jeffers to return from surgery on his right thumb, but moving his rehab assignment to Triple-A is a good sign and leaves room for a possible return before the end of the season. He is scheduled to serve as St. Paul's designated hitter Friday.

Langeliers isn't starting Thursday against the Astros.

Langeliers started the last two games and went 2-for-7 with a run, a walk and four strikeouts. Stephen Vogt will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth Thursday.

Maldonado isn't starting Thursday against Oakland.

Maldonado has hit just .091 with a run, an RBI, a walk and six strikeouts over eight games since the start of September, and he'll take a seat for the third time in the last five matchups. Christian Vazquez is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.

Kirk, who is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rays, is dealing with left hip tightness, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It was a bit puzzling that Kirk was held out of the lineup Thursday for a second straight day, but the hip issue explains the his absence. Kirk is considered day-to-day and could be available off the bench if needed.

Moreno is in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Moreno has not appeared in a game since being brought back up earlier this month, but he will get a chance to play a full nine innings Thursday. He will line up behind the plate and hit eighth in Toronto's batting order.

Jansen is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Jansen has been handling the bulk of the catching duties of late, but he will be held out Thursday with the Blue Jays playing a day game following a night game. Gabriel Moreno will replace Jansen behind the plate.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Kirk did not appear in Wednesday's game, and he will open on the bench for a second straight day. No injury has been reported, so as things stands it appears he is just getting a couple days off amid a 4-for-23 stretch at the plate.