MLB Player News

Jansen went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and a second run scored in Thursday's victory over the Red Sox.

The catcher gave Toronto a 5-4 lead with his sixth-inning home run off Matt Strahm. Prior to this contest, Jansen had been in a major slump over his last 17 games, slashing .102/.175/.102 in 49 at-bats. The 27-year-old has been significantly more effective on the road with a .922 OPS in 69 plate appearances compared to a .573 OPS over 75 PAs in Toronto.

Langeliers went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a loss to the Yankees on Thursday.

Oakland trailed by 10 runs through five innings before Langeliers provided a murmur of protest with his solo shot to left field in the sixth. The catcher knocked in another run with an infield single in the seventh, and he finished with the second three-hit performance of his young career. Though Sean Murphy remains the Athletics' primary catcher, Langeliers has made enough of a positive impression that he's frequently been used in the DH slot. The 24-year-old is slashing .294/.306/.647 with two homers, four doubles and seven RBI across his first nine major-league contests.

Grandal (knee) will report to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday to begin a rehab assignment, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 33-year-old landed on the injured list last Sunday with a left knee strain, but he was cleared of any structural damage and was quickly able to resume baseball activities. Grandal could be reinstated from the injured list when first eligible next week.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Kirk started the past eight games and will head to the bench after posting a .333/.400/.433 slash line with three doubles and seven RBI during that span. Danny Jansen will take over behind the plate in the series finale at Boston.

Maldonado isn't starting Thursday against the Twins.

Maldonado started the last three games and went 1-for-11 with a double, a run and six strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Christian Vazquez starts behind the plate and bats fifth.

Plawecki is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

After making three consecutive starts behind the plate, Plawecki now finds himself on the bench for the second straight contest. The Red Sox's catching situation remains a difficult one to predict from game-to-game, as Plawecki and Reese McGuire appear to be stuck in a true timeshare.

McCann will sit Thursday versus the Rockies, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

McCann will be on the bench for the second straight game Thursday. Tomas Nido will draw another start behind the plate and bat ninth against Colorado.

Diaz is not in the starting lineup Thursday against the Mets.

Diaz will remain on the bench for the second straight game as the Rockies take on Jacob deGrom and the Mets on Thursday. Brian Serven will take over behind the plate and bat eighth versus New York.

Realmuto will sit Thursday against the Reds.

Realmuto will get a day off after he went 6-for-12 with four extra-base hits, a homer, four RBI and three runs scored, in the first three games of the series. Garrett Stubbs is starting at catcher and will bat sixth in the series finale.

Contreras (ankle) is out of the starting lineup Thursday against the Cardinals.

Contreras will miss a fourth consecutive game due to a left ankle sprain, but the Cubs don't view it as a major concern, as manager David Ross said he expects the 30-year-old backstop to be back in the starting nine Friday against the Brewers, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. P.J. Higgins will remain in the lineup at catcher and bat sixth Thursday.