MLB Player News

Jansen blasted a two-run home run and went 2-for-4 versus the White Sox on Sunday.

Jansen's ninth-inning blast to center field gave Toronto a comfortable lead in what had been a one-run game. The homer was Jansen's second of the season, both of which have come in his last two games. He hopes to be turning things around after a brutal offensive start to the season.

Rupp signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Saturday and was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Rupp will provide Oakland with extra depth behind the plate in the high minors while top catching prospect Sean Murphy (knee) works back from a torn meniscus. Oakland has received decent production from Josh Phegley and Nick Hundley at the big-league level this season and could get Chris Herrmann (knee) back from the injured list in a couple weeks, so Rupp may have a tough time earning a promotion to the majors even if he performs well in his initial action with Las Vegas.

Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hernandez was called up as the temporary backup to Christian Vazquez after Sandy Leon was placed on paternity leave. With Leon ready to return, Hernandez is being sent back to Triple-A Pawtucket. He did not appear in a game during the brief callup.

Leon (personal) will be activated from the paternity list ahead of Monday's game against the Astros, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox will presumably send fellow catcher Oscar Hernandez down to the minors after Sunday's series finale against Houston to clear a spot on the active roster for Leon. Once he's formally reinstated, Leon will reprise his normal duties as the backup to top backstop Christian Vazquez.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Maldonado will receive a breather after catching eight innings in Saturday's 5-2 loss. Cam Gallagher checks in for him behind the dish.

McCann is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

McCann has gone hitless in nine at-bats over his last three starts but is still sitting on a robust .347 average for the season. His performance so far this season should give him plenty of security in his role as the White Sox's top backstop, though he'll rest in the series finale in favor of Welington Castillo.

Vazquez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Astros.

The 28-year-old catcher continues to rake in May. Vazquez is now hitting .457 (16-for-35) through 11 games on the month with three doubles and two homers, and his six long balls on the year is already a new career high. The hot streak has boosted his slash line on the season to a shocking .309/.358/.536.

Jansen is out of Saturday's lineup against the White Sox.

He will head to the bench a day after hitting his first home run of the season. Luke Maile will start behind the dish and hit ninth.

Maile is starting at catcher and hitting ninth Saturday against the White Sox.

He was scratched from Friday's lineup for an unknown reason, but he's back in the mix a day later. This is only Maile's sixth start this month and he has two hits in 15 at-bats over that stretch.

Vazquez went 3-for-4 with two doubles and knocked in Boston's lone run in a 3-1 loss to Houston on Friday.

Quietly, Vazquez has raised his season average to .311 after a nine-game run that's seen him go 16-for-28 (.571) and raised his batting average 93 points since May 2. It seems impossible that Friday's RBI is the only run he's driven in during that stretch.