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.

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.

Wong went 1-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Angels.

Wong smacked a 420-foot homer to center field to round the bases for the fifth time this season. He has produced a powerful May with a .565 slugging percentage. For the season Wong has a .738 OPS as he has produced in his first chance with regular playing time. However, he will likely continue to split time fairly evenly with Reese McGuire. Both have reached 70 plate appearances this season.

Jansen was pulled from Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay due to left groin tightness.

More details on Jansen's injury have now been revealed, but there is still no word surrounding the severity of his groin tightness. If Jansen is forced to miss some time, Alejandro Kirk will likely fill in as Toronto's primary backstop.

Jansen was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays with an apparent injury, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Jansen might have tweaked something while running out a grounder in the top of the fifth inning, as he didn't come back out for defense in the bottom of the frame. The Blue Jays should have more on the catcher's status soon.

Jeffers went 1-for-2 with two walks and a solo home run in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Giants.

With Christian Vazquez getting a day off, Jeffers drew the start at catcher and hit eighth. He walked in his first at-bat, lined out in his second and hit a solo home run in his third, which extended Minnesota's lead to 7-1. Jeffers has been solid when called upon and is slashing .246/.395/.426 across 26 appearances (61 at-bats) with two home runs and five RBI, but Vazquez remains the everyday backstop. The home run was Jeffers' first since April 3.