MLB Player News

Garver is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the A's.

Garver will take a seat in favor of Jason Castro after starting Wednesday -- alternating starts is pretty much standard procedure for these two. With a .286 average, 12 homers, 30 runs and 34 RBI, Garver has been a top-10 catcher in earned fantasy value so far this season.

Plawecki will start at catcher and bat seventh Thursday against the Royals.

He'll be spelling top backstop Roberto Perez, who is receiving a maintenance day after three consecutive turns behind the dish. Perez's quality defense and surprising emergence as a power source this season should keep him locked into a heavy volume of starts every week, leaving minimal opportunities available for Plawecki.

Perez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Perez went 2-for-3 with a home run, triple, walk, two RBI and two runs Wednesday in the Indians' 4-0 win over the Royals. Now up to 15 home runs on the campaign, Perez has almost doubled up his previous career-best total (eight) from any of his prior five seasons in the majors. His 28.5 percent strikeout rate will continue to make him a batting-average risk, but the power he provides behind the plate is enough to make him a worthy roster option even in most leagues that start only one catcher. Kevin Plawecki will step in as the Indians' backstop in the series finale in what amounts to a maintenance day for Perez.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Indians.

Maldonado will be getting a much-needed breather after starting each of the past six games behind the plate and going 6-for-21 with a pair of solo home runs and three doubles during that stretch. Cam Gallagher will work in a battery with Homer Bailey in the series finale.

Jansen went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Jansen took Chris Sale deep in the fourth inning for his sixth home run of the season. Four of those long balls have come in his past six starts, during which he's also managed eight RBI, five runs scored and two multi-hit efforts. Though his .197/.273/.328 line leaves plenty to be desired, Jansen appears to be getting more comfortable at the plate partway through his first full season in the major leagues.

Vazquez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Vazquez took Jacob Waguespack deep in the fourth inning to record his 13th homer of the season. He's now recorded a long ball in three consecutive starts and has five home runs in his past 10 contests. Vazquez has emerged as a surprising source of both batting average and power, as he's now hitting .300/.333/.515 across 253 plate appearances for the campaign.

Thaiss is being promoted to the big leagues prior to Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Since the start of June, Thaiss is hitting .303/.433/.587 with eight home runs and more walks (25) than strikeouts (23) in 27 games at Triple-A. He has played 47 games at third base, 23 games at first base and another 10 at designated hitter, which should accurately represent how he will be used in the majors. Tommy La Stella (shin) is currently banged up, so Thaiss could start right away at the hot corner. With the Angels purchasing his contract, there will need to be corresponding moves, which have not yet been announced.

Hernandez was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday.

He passed through waivers and will serve as organizational catching depth going forward.

Nola went 2-for-4 with a double and a run in a win over the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Nola continued the strong start to his big-league career with his second straight multi-hit effort. The rookie is now an impressive 7-for-17 with Tuesday's two-bagger, a home run, two RBI and four runs overall since his promotion June 16. With the Mariners essentially devoid of postseason aspirations this season, he could continue earning time at the big-league level as the season unfolds.

Jansen went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox.

The catcher only has five homers on the year, but three of them have come in his last five starts. Jansen's .196/.273/.314 slash line remains poor, but he's at least building up some momentum heading into the second half.