MLB Player News

Jansen is out of the lineup versus the Yankees on Saturday.

After eight consecutive starts behind the dish, Jansen will get the day off, with Luke Maile getting the nod at catcher instead. Jansen, who struggled for most of the year in regards to his offensive production, is slashing .367/.367/.933 with four home runs and seven RBI in eight games this month. He will receive a much-needed breather and will look to stay hot upon his return to the lineup Sunday versus the Yankees.

Hedges was placed on the bereavement list prior to Friday's game against the Braves, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

He must miss a minimum of three games and a maximum of seven games. Austin Allen was recalled from Triple-A to assume the backup catcher duties in the short term. Francisco Mejia will start at catcher and hit sixth Friday.

Thole was traded from the Dodgers to the Angels on Friday along with Adam McCreery in exchange for cash considerations.

The Angels need another catcher with Jonathan Lucroy out with a concussion and a broken nose and Kevan Smith dealing with a sprained hand. Thole will report to Triple-A Salt Lake, indicating that Smith is likely ready to go. Thole is good enough to fill in at the position if called upon, but nothing about the eight-year veteran's .242/.313/.306 career slash line suggests he'll be a fantasy asset if he gets a chance with the Angels.

Realmuto will return from the paternity list Saturday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto got to spend some time with his wife and newborn daughter at the end of the All-Star break, so he'll be away from the team for just a single game. His return will push Andrew Knapp back to the bench and will likely send Rob Brantly back to the minors.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

Gomes and Kurt Suzuki split time evenly over the last 20 games of the first half, each starting 10 times. Suzuki gets the call for the first game of the second half.

Realmuto was placed on the paternity list Friday.

Players can spend up to three days on the paternity list, so expect Realmuto back with the team no later than Monday. Andrew Knapp will be the primary catcher in his absence, with Rob Brantly called up to be the backup.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Diaz finished the first half with a passable batting average but not much else, posting a .274/.327/.352 slash line with one homer in 56 games. Jacob Stallings caught Chris Archer's last seven starts prior to the break and will do so again Friday.

Jackson went 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored and six RBI for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The 23-year-old now has 17 homers on the season for Gwinnett, leaving him two shy of tying his previous career high in the minors. Jackson's .229/.321/.526 slash line and 17:68 BB:K through 55 games mark him as a fairly one-dimensional player, though, and he might never be anything more than a depth catching option or utility bench player in the big leagues.

Kirk went 2-for-3 with a double for High-A Dunedin on Thursday.

Since his promotion to the Florida State League, the 20-year-old catcher has slashed .323/.428/.436 through 41 games with a remarkable 23:20 BB:K. Kirk is still looking for his first homer with Dunedin after launching three in 21 games for Low-A Lansing, and power may never be a big part of his game given his 5-foot-9 frame, but his hit tool and plate discipline seem strong enough to get him to the majors if his defensive skills continue to develop.

Contreras will sit Friday against the Pirates.

Contreras finished the first half with an excellent .286/.381/.556 slash line. He rarely catches Friday's starter Yu Darvish, however, so he'll sit for the first game of the second half in favor of Victor Caratini.