MLB Player News

Jankowski entered Saturday's game for an injured Wyatt Langford (hamstring) and went 1-for-2 with a stolen base, two RBI and two runs scored in a 15-4 win over Kansas City.

Langford was scheduled for an MRI on Sunday, which should clarify the length of his expected absence. Jankowski, who has just 31 plate appearances this season, could be in line for more starts; however, the Rangers can get by with Evan Carter, Leody Taveras and Adolis Garcia in the outfield on most nights.

Biggio is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

With southpaw MacKenzie Gore on the hill for Washington, the lefty-hitting Biggio will retreat to the bench. Toronto will insert Isiah Kiner-Falefa into the lineup as its starting second baseman.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Jansen will get a routine maintenance day in the series finale after drawing starts at catcher in each of the Blue Jays' previous three games. Alejandro Kirk will check in for him behind the dish.

The Blue Jays optioned Little to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Alek Manoah (shoulder), who was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday versus the Nationals. After being called up from Triple-A on April 25, Little made three appearances out of the Toronto bullpen, giving up four earned runs over 3.1 innings.

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Rangers.

Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a double and a run Saturday but still has just two hits over his past 11 games. Salvador Perez is resting his legs at designated hitter Sunday while Freddy Fermin starts behind the plate.

The Blue Jays reinstated Manoah (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday versus the Nationals in Washington.

Manoah will be making his 2024 season debut for the Blue Jays after he opened the campaign on the shelf with right shoulder inflammation before completing a five-start minor-league rehab assignment between stops at Single-A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo. The right-hander was far from sharp over the course of the minor-league assignment -- he posted an 8.69 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB across 19.2 frames -- but he finished off his stint at Buffalo in dominant fashion, tossing six innings of one-run ball while striking out 12 and issuing just two walks this past Tuesday. The Blue Jays are hopeful that Manoah can eventually regain the form that made him a third-place finisher in the 2022 American League Cy Young Award balloting, but his fantasy managers may want to tread carefully before activating him. Much like the entirety of his rehab assignment prior to Tuesday, Manoah struggled mightily with his command and control during his time with the Blue Jays and various minor-league affiliates in a disastrous 2023 season.

Massey went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Saturday's 15-4 loss to the Rangers.

Massey was a bright spot in the Royals' lopsided loss, extending his hitting streak to seven games in the process. He's gone 10-for-25 (.400) with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI and six runs scored in that stretch. The second baseman took about a week to get his bat going after recovering from a back injury, but he's stepped up to claim a starting role at the keystone, which has bumped Adam Frazier into a utility role.

Laureano went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Angels.

Laureano snapped an 0-for-12 slump that dated back to April 21 when he went yard in the fourth inning Saturday. The outfielder is slashing a meager .161/.304/.268 with a homer, four RBI, six runs scored, three stolen bases and three doubles over 69 plate appearances this season. That slump has taken Laureano out of contention to play versus right-handed pitchers, with Will Brennan and Estevan Florial mostly sharing right field and designated hitter. Laureano will still get looks against southpaws, but he shouldn't be expected to fill more than a short-side platoon role anytime soon.

Fermin will start at catcher and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Fermin will be behind the dish for the fifth time in seven games while Salvador Perez gets a day off from catching and serves as the Royals' designated hitter. Nelson Velazquez has served as the Royals' primary DH all season, but he's been occupying more of a part-time role of late as manager Matt Quartaro has look to make room in the lineup for Fermin, who has gone 5-for-18 with a solo home run and three walks over his last six games.

The Royals optioned Selby to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

After being acquired from the Pirates on April 7, Selby was summoned from Triple-A on Tuesday and was able to make his Royals debut during his brief stint with the big club. He made two appearances out of the Kansas City bullpen, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks over three innings in back-to-back appearances versus the Rangers on Friday and Saturday.