MLB Player News

Valenzuela went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk Saturday in an 11-4 victory versus Minnesota.

Valenzuela had the biggest hit in an eight-run eighth inning for Toronto, mashing a three-run homer to center field. Saturday marked the rookie backstop's third start behind the plate over the Blue Jays' past four games, and he's gone 4-for-9 with two home runs and four RBI during that span. Valenzuela seems to be building momentum over Tyler Heineman as Toronto's primary catcher while Alejandro Kirk (thumb) remains sidelined.

Fortes isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus San Francisco, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Fortes will take a seat to begin Saturday's contest after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Friday's series opener. Hunter Feduccia will handle catching duties and bat eighth.

Narvaez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.

Narvaez will get a chance to rest Saturday after going 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's win. Connor Wong will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.

Heineman isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota.

After starting the season with a .188 batting average and .423 OPS through 20 games, Heineman will take a seat on the bench for the third time in Toronto's last four games while Brandon Valenzuela starts at catcher.

Jansen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-4 win over the Tigers.

The home run was the second of the season for Jansen, who has logged one RBI in his last two starts. Outside of hot five-game stretch to open the season and these last two games, the catcher hasn't offered much offense, going 7-for-43 (.163) with zero RBI and two runs scored over the other 15 contests.

Wells isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore.

Wells will grab a seat on the bench Saturday after going 1-for-4 with a run scored during a win in Friday's series opener. J.C. Escarra will fill in at catcher and bat seventh.

Naylor went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 8-5 win over the Athletics.

Naylor, who entered Friday's game on a 1-for-23 slide over the previous eight contests, snapped an 0-for-12 stretch with a second-inning single, and he also doubled home a run in the seventh. It was just the second multi-hit effort of the season for the catcher. Naylor is slashing .137/.192/.397 with three extra-base hits, four RBI and three runs scored over 78 plate appearances.

Quero is not in the White Sox's starting lineup against the Padres on Friday.

Quero will get a breather after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout during the White Sox's 3-2 win over the Angels on Wednesday. He'll begin Friday's game on the bench while Drew Romo starts behind home plate and bats ninth while catching pitches from Noah Schultz.

Soderstrom (shoulder/head) is starting in left field and batting sixth Friday against the Guardians.

Soderstrom sat the past two games after getting banged up on a dive attempt in left field Tuesday, but he's ready to go for Friday's series opener versus Cleveland. Through his first 29 games of the season, the 24-year-old is slashing .211/.298/.404 with three home runs, one stolen base, 18 RBI and 14 runs.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Athletics.

Diaz cracked his first homer of the season to the opposite field in the eighth inning to cut into the Royals' deficit, though they were unable to complete a comeback. The 35-year-old has seen limited playing time since being called up April 19 to serve as the team's third catcher but has produced when called upon, going 4-for-11 (.364) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, two runs and a walk across four games.