MLB Player News

Kirk (hip) is expected to return in four weeks, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Previous reports indicated that Kirk could miss as much as six weeks with his strained left hip flexor, but it looks as though his timeline has been revised to be slightly more optimistic. The young catcher's injury was poorly timed, as he was just starting to heat up at the plate, going 5-for-13 with a pair of homers in his last five games after hitting just .148 in his first 12 contests.

Vazquez isn't starting Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Vaquez had started each of the last two games and went 4-for-9 with a double, two RBI, a run, a walk and three strikeouts during that time. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Garver isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Garver had gone 3-for-7 with a solo home run, a walk and a strikeout in the last two games. Ben Rortvedt will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Maldonado (shoulder) will catch and bat ninth Thursday against the Yankees, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado missed Wednesday's game after leaving Tuesday's contest with a bruised trapezius following a collision at home plate. He's back in action after a brief absence and will look to improve on his awful .091/.167/.136 season slash line, though he may have a tough time doing so with Gerrit Cole on the mound for the Yankees.

Vazquez moved from catcher to second base after Christian Arroyo left Wednesday's game with a hand injury.

Arroyo was hit by a pitch on his left hand but stayed in the game to run before being removed as a fielder. Vazquez has played second base before during his career, but his deployment Wednesday should be viewed as a stopgap measure. He's not expected to fill in at the position should Arroyo need multiple days off. The Red Sox can easily have Enrique Hernandez or Marwin Gonzalez, both of whom were already in Wednesday's game, play the keystone.

Garver went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Wednesday against the Rangers.

Garver provided the Twins with their lone run of the game when he smacked his sixth home run of the season in the second inning. He's started to heat up at the dish, as he's now managed four home runs in his last five starts while also tallying three multi-hit games in that span. With Ryan Jeffers currently at Triple-A Rochester, Garver should have a clear path to regular at-bats for the Twins behind the dish. To this point, he's managed a .208/.250/.500 line with 13 RBI and eight runs scored across 76 plate appearances.

Stassi is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Rays.

Stassi is 1-for-13 in his last four appearances and will take a seat Wednesday. Kurt Suzuki will take over behind the plate for Los Angeles.

Jansen is out of the lineup Wednesday at Oakland, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Jansen started the past three games and finally busted out of his hitless streak, going 2-for-10 with a walk, an RBI and two runs during that stretch. He should continue working as the No. 1 catcher with Alejandro Kirk (hip) out, but Reese McGuire will start Wednesday.

Adams was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old was recalled from the alternate site over the weekend with Alejandro Kirk (hip) going down with an injury, but Toronto has since opted to add Reese McGuire to the big-league roster. Adams did not see the field during his brief time with the team and is still looking to make his major-league debut.

McGuire had his contract selected by the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by Toronto after failing to make the Opening Day roster, but he'll join the club with Alejandro Kirk set to miss significant time with a hip injury. Danny Jansen should work as the Blue Jays' top catcher. but McGuire will see occasional opportunities and could carve out a bigger role if Jansen continues to struggle offensively.