MLB Player News

Kirk went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's loss against the Rays.

Kirk was the lone Blue Jay to record more than one hit in the contest. After a slow start to the season, the 24-year-old backstop has started to heat up, going 9-for-25 in his last seven games. Kirk's now slashing .248/.360/.333 with two home runs, 11 runs scored and 12 RBI through 139 plate appearances. Kirk is certainly capable of providing offense from the catcher position, and he could see an expanded role depending on the severity of Danny Jansen's groin injury.

Raleigh went 2-for-3 with a bases-loaded walk and a run in a win over the Athletics on Wednesday.

The slugging backstop got it done via the small-ball route Wednesday, and his fourth-inning walk with the bases jammed extended the Mariners' lead to 5-0. Raleigh's multi-hit effort was also his first since May 15, but he's enjoying a productive second half of May that includes a .333 average, a double, two home runs and six RBI across his last eight games.

Nola is out of the lineup again Thursday against the Nationals.

Brett Sullivan will make a second straight start at catcher and could continue to get regular looks versus right-handed pitching opponents, though neither backstop has been particularly productive with the bat this year. It's a situation to avoid in standard fantasy leagues.

Ruiz is not in the lineup Thursday against the Padres.

It's a late-afternoon start in Washington following a night game Wednesday in which Ruiz went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, so the 24-year-old will receive some rest. Riley Adams will catch and bat eighth Thursday versus the Padres and lefty Blake Snell.

Bethancourt is not in the lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Bethancourt went 2-for-4 and caught the full game in Tampa Bay's win over the Jays on Wednesday night. Francisco Mejia will start behind the plate and bat ninth in Thursday's afternoon tilt.

Jansen will undergo an MRI on his injured left groin Thursday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Jansen injured his groin while running to first base during Wednesday's game against the Rays. The Blue Jays have Tyler Heineman with the club on the taxi squad in case he's needed to replace Jansen on the roster. They do have Daulton Varsho available as an emergency catcher, though, so they could wait it out with Jansen if they feel he'll be available in a day or two.

Heim went 0-for-4 with an RBI and a steal in Wednesday's victory over the Pirates.

Heim drove in Adolis Garcia on a fielder's choice in the first inning before swiping second base later in the frame. Heim's been struggling after a stellar start to the season, going just 1-for-23 over his last six games. The 27-year-old backstop is still slashing a solid .273/.331/.448 with six home runs, 27 runs scored and 33 RBI through 169 plate appearances this season.

Jansen (groin) is not in Thursday's lineup versus the Rays, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen exited Wednesday's game due to left groin tightness. Notable is that Tyler Heineman has joined the Blue Jays on the taxi squad, seemingly as protection for Jansen. Alejandro Kirk will catch Alek Manoah on Thursday.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Cincinnati, 101 ESPN St. Louis reports.

It's a day game after a night game, so Andrew Knizner will do the catching for Miles Mikolas. Contreras is in the midst of a 1-for-24 slide at the dish.

Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Cubs.

Alvarez accounted for all of New York's runs Wednesday with his two-run homer in the third inning. It was his third long ball over his past four contests, a span in which the backstop is hitting .462 (6-for-13) with seven RBI and no strikeouts. The injured Tomas Nido (eye) and Omar Narvaez (calf) may be ready to return to the Mets soon, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Alvarez continue to hold down primary catcher duties given his recent offensive surge.