MLB Player News

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.

Rogers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Kansas City.

Rogers will receive a breather in the series finale after he served as Detroit's starting catcher in three of the previous four games. Eric Haase will check in behind the dish in place of Rogers, who has gone 0-for-13 with six strikeouts over his last four starts to bring his batting average down to .163 for the season.

Perez is not in the starting lineup Wednesday versus the Tigers.

Perez is presumably getting a routine maintenance day in the series finale after catching 10 innings Monday and another full game Tuesday. Freddy Fermin will start behind the plate and bat seventh for the Royals on Wednesday.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Now on the bench for the fourth time in six games, Kirk looks like he'll be stuck in a part-time role between catcher and designated hitter until he can begin to catch fire at the plate. Though he's getting on base at a strong .353 clip thus far in 2023, Kirk isn't hitting the ball with much authority, as his ISO of .090 is down 40 points from last season. Since Danny Jansen remains the superior defender behind the plate, he'll likely continue to get the bulk of the starts at catcher at Kirk's expense.

Higashioka will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Higashioka is behind the plate for the fifth time in six games, with his increase in playing time coinciding with top backstop Jose Trevino's recent move to the 10-day injured list due to a hamstring strain. Though Higashioka is capable of popping the occasional home run, his high strikeout rates have made him a batting-average drain throughout his time in the majors. The 33-year-old should be on the fantasy radar only in AL-only leagues or in mixed leagues that start two catchers.

Jeffers will start at catcher and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Jeffers will step in behind the plate in place of top backstop Christian Vazquez, who is receiving some routine maintenance for the day game after a night game. Though Vazquez has maintained a lowly .565 OPS for the season, Jeffers has yet to gain any major momentum in displacing the former atop the depth chart. Despite carrying a .748 OPS into Wednesday's contest, Jeffers will be making just his fourth start in 10 games.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

He'll be receiving some routine maintenance in the series finale after catching both of the past two days. Ryan Jeffers will spell Vazquez behind the plate Wednesday.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Grandal will get a breather for a day game Wednesday after he started behind the plate in each of the White Sox's previous three contests. Seby Zavala will form a battery with starting pitcher Michael Kopech in the series finale.

Garver (knee) went 2-for-4 with two doubles Tuesday in the first game of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock.

Garver served as Round Rock's designated hitter Tuesday and made four trips to the plate before being lifted in the ninth inning. Garver will get another turn at DH in his next rehab game for Round Rock before working behind the plate. If all goes well over the next few days, Garver could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list at some point next week.