MLB Player News

Jansen isn't in the Rangers' starting lineup Sunday versus the Reds.

Jansen started behind the plate each of Texas' past four games, and he'll get a well-deserved rest Sunday. The veteran catcher has performed well to begin the season, slashing .250/.250/.458 with a home run and six RBI through 24 plate appearances. Kyle Higashioka is behind the dish for the Rangers in Sunday's series finale.

Rutschman is not in Baltimore's starting lineup Sunday versus Pittsburgh.

Rutschman was behind the plate for four of the previous five games and will get a breather Sunday. Samuel Basallo is doing the catching for Baltimore in the series finale against Pittsburgh.

Perez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Saturday's Game 2 win over Milwaukee.

The homer was Perez's second of the young season, and he also drew a season-high two walks. He also started Game 1 and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. The veteran backstop has hit safely in six of his first eight games, though he's without any multi-hit efforts to this point. Perez has hit cleanup in each of Kansas City's first eight contests, so he should have plenty of RBI chances moving ahead.

Fortes isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Fortes has logged a base hit in six of the seven games he's played in thus far, but the Rays will keep him on the bench Saturday with Hunter Feduccia set to do the catching for lefty Steven Matz

Basallo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.

Basallo will get a day off to regroup after going just 4-for-23 (.174) through his first six games. His absence will put Taylor Ward in the DH spot while Dylan Beavers, Leody Taveras and Colton Cowser form Baltimore's outfield trio.

Jensen isn't in the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Jensen has gone 2-for-16 with a home run and eight strikeouts to begin the season, and he'll now begin Saturday's festivities on the bench. Starling Marte will occupy the DH spot instead and bat sixth.

The Blue Jays recalled Valenzuela from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

The 25-year-old will join the big club for the first time in his career to provide depth at catcher while Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is on the injured list. Valenzuela has slashed .206/.295/.374 with four homers, 16 RBI and 11 runs scored across 122 plate appearances in Triple-A since joining the Blue Jays organization at last year's trade deadline.

Quero isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Toronto.

Quero will grab a seat on the bench Saturday after beginning the series 2-for-4 in Friday's win. Reese McGuire will get the nod behind home plate and bat eighth.

The Blue Jays placed Kirk on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left thumb fracture, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Kirk took a foul tip off his left thumb while catching in the 10th inning of Friday's contest. He doesn't have a return timeline in place yet, per Mae, but some clarity should come after he visits a doctor Monday to determine whether surgery is required. In the meantime, Tyler Heineman will take over as Toronto's starting catcher, and Brandon Valenzuela will come up from Triple-A Buffalo to provide depth.

Valenzuela might get promoted from Triple-A Buffalo after Alejandro Kirk took a foul tip off his thumb during Friday's extra-inning loss to the White Sox, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The Blue Jays play an afternoon game Saturday, so even if X-rays on Kirk's thumb come back negative, he likely won't be available. That puts Tyler Heineman in line to get the start, but Valenzuela is the logical candidate to back him up for however long Kirk is sidelined. Valenzuela is batting .200 (3-for-15) through four games for Buffalo with a homer, four RBI and a 2:3 BB:K.