MLB Player News

Moreno went 2-for-4 with a solo home run for Low-A Lansing on Thursday.

The 19-year-old was deemed ready for full-season ball in mid-May and promoted from extended spring training, and all Moreno has done since is slash .298/.364/.524 through 35 games with six homers, 22 RBI and a surprising four steals. Even more impressive has been his minuscule 10.7 percent strikeout rate. Signed out of Venezuela in 2016, Moreno is a converted shortstop who appears to be adapting well defensively behind the plate, and his hit tool and developing power stroke give the Jays' No. 13 fantasy prospect some very intriguing upside.

Jansen went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in a losing effort versus Boston on Thursday.

Jansen went deep in his first two at-bats of the game, blasting a long ball over the center field fence in the second and fourth innings. The multi-homer game was the first of his career and extended his current home-run streak to three consecutive games. The three-hit performance was also notable as it lifted Jansen's batting average above the Mendoza Line for the first time since May 1.

Sanchez went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in the Yankees' 8-4 extra-inning victory over the Rays on Thursday.

The backstop provided the decisive blow in this contest, cranking a mammoth three-run blast off Emilio Pagan in the 10th inning for his 24th homer of the season. After a down 2018, Sanchez is back to his prolific power-hitting ways so far this season, as he's slashing .251/.320/.574 with 57 RBI through 273 plate appearances.

Garver is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the A's.

Garver will take a seat in favor of Jason Castro after starting Wednesday -- alternating starts is pretty much standard procedure for these two. With a .286 average, 12 homers, 30 runs and 34 RBI, Garver has been a top-10 catcher in earned fantasy value so far this season.

Plawecki will start at catcher and bat seventh Thursday against the Royals.

He'll be spelling top backstop Roberto Perez, who is receiving a maintenance day after three consecutive turns behind the dish. Perez's quality defense and surprising emergence as a power source this season should keep him locked into a heavy volume of starts every week, leaving minimal opportunities available for Plawecki.

Perez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Perez went 2-for-3 with a home run, triple, walk, two RBI and two runs Wednesday in the Indians' 4-0 win over the Royals. Now up to 15 home runs on the campaign, Perez has almost doubled up his previous career-best total (eight) from any of his prior five seasons in the majors. His 28.5 percent strikeout rate will continue to make him a batting-average risk, but the power he provides behind the plate is enough to make him a worthy roster option even in most leagues that start only one catcher. Kevin Plawecki will step in as the Indians' backstop in the series finale in what amounts to a maintenance day for Perez.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Indians.

Maldonado will be getting a much-needed breather after starting each of the past six games behind the plate and going 6-for-21 with a pair of solo home runs and three doubles during that stretch. Cam Gallagher will work in a battery with Homer Bailey in the series finale.

Jansen went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Jansen took Chris Sale deep in the fourth inning for his sixth home run of the season. Four of those long balls have come in his past six starts, during which he's also managed eight RBI, five runs scored and two multi-hit efforts. Though his .197/.273/.328 line leaves plenty to be desired, Jansen appears to be getting more comfortable at the plate partway through his first full season in the major leagues.

Vazquez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Vazquez took Jacob Waguespack deep in the fourth inning to record his 13th homer of the season. He's now recorded a long ball in three consecutive starts and has five home runs in his past 10 contests. Vazquez has emerged as a surprising source of both batting average and power, as he's now hitting .300/.333/.515 across 253 plate appearances for the campaign.

Thaiss is being promoted to the big leagues prior to Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Since the start of June, Thaiss is hitting .303/.433/.587 with eight home runs and more walks (25) than strikeouts (23) in 27 games at Triple-A. He has played 47 games at third base, 23 games at first base and another 10 at designated hitter, which should accurately represent how he will be used in the majors. Tommy La Stella (shin) is currently banged up, so Thaiss could start right away at the hot corner. With the Angels purchasing his contract, there will need to be corresponding moves, which have not yet been announced.