MLB Player News

Kirk went 4-for-5 with a run scored in Tuesday's win over the Royals.

Kirk singled and scored on a Matt Chapman double in the top of the second inning before later adding three more base knocks in the contest. He now has a five-game hit streak, going 10-for-19 with two home runs, three RBI and six runs over that stretch. Since May 23, Kirk has notched at least one hit in 11 out of 12 games, raising his season-long batting average from .260 to .322. He'll likely see an increase in time at catcher with Danny Jansen (hand) being placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, but Kirk has carved out a consistent role as the Blue Jays' top option at designated hitter regardless.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Rangers.

Hedges went 0-for-4 during the matinee, and it's not a surprise he won't be starting both ends of the twin bill. Luke Maile will take over behind the plate in the nightcap.

Jansen has a fractured bone in his left hand near his pinky finger, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Jansen has only played in 19 games this season, as he'd previously missed over a month with a strained oblique. He's yet to officially return to the injured list, but such a move is expected to come soon. The fracture is apparently smaller and more stable than most, but a timeline won't become clear for his return until 10 days into his absence, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca. Zack Collins was recalled to split time behind the plate with Alejandro Kirk.

Jeffers will sit Tuesday against the Yankees, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Jeffers finds himself on the bench for the second game in a row. Gary Sanchez starts behind the plate against his former team.

Grandal isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Grandal started in the last four games and went 2-for-13 with two RBI, three walks and five strikeouts. Reese McGuire will start behind the dish and bat eighth Tuesday.

Jansen (hand) isn't starting Tuesday against the Royals.

Jansen sustained a left hand injury during Monday's win over the Royals and underwent precautionary X-rays. While the results of his exams aren't yet known, manager Charlie Montoyo said after Sunday's matchup that the backstop was "fine." Jansen should be considered day-to-day for now, while Alejandro Kirk will start behind the plate and bat fifth Tuesday.

Maldonado is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado will get a day off after starting five straight games, going 3-for-18 with a homer, two RBI and three runs in those contests. Jason Castro will start at catcher and bat eighth Tuesday.

Garver will sit for the first half of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Garver has had a near-everyday role as a designated hitter since he returned from an elbow strain in mid-May. Corey Seager will rest his legs in Game 1 in that spot, but Garver should get the chance to hit in the nightcap.

Heim will sit for the first half of Tuesday's doubleheader in Cleveland.

Heim unsurprisingly won't be asked to catch two games on one day. Sam Huff will start behind the plate for the afternoon game, but Heim should return for the nightcap.

Langeliers is batting .270/.354/.506 with 11 homers for Triple-A Las Vegas, but he hasn't gone yard in the last month.

His last homer came back on May 7, and Langeliers has hit only .221/.282/.273 in the interim. It's bad timing for the 24-year-old backstop, as Sean Murphy has struggled at the dish for Oakland (.636 OPS) and backup Christian Bethancourt has been even worse (.605 OPS). The door is open for Langeliers to force his way up to the big leagues if he can rediscover his power stroke soon. He put up an eyebrow-raising .309/.407/.691 batting line through his first 26 games this season before hitting the skids.