MLB Player News

Vazquez went 2-for-3 with a stolen base Thursday in a loss to Tampa Bay.

Vazquez was responsible for half of Boston's four hits, singling off Michael Wacha in the fifth inning and Ryan Thompson in the seventh. He also nabbed his seventh stolen base in eight attempts this season. Through 66 games overall, the 30-year-old is slashing .259/.302/.351 with three home runs and 29 RBI across 245 plate appearances.

Sanchez went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and two runs scored Thursday against the Royals.

Sanchez took Anthony Swarzak yard in the sixth inning to record his 13th homer of the season. It was his second long ball in as many games, and he has now recorded seven home runs in his last 13 contests. That's improved his line to .240/.344/.503 with 27 runs scored and 29 RBI across 212 plate appearances on the campaign.

Contreras isn't starting Thursday's game against the Reds.

Contreras had started each of the last three games, and he went 0-for-9 with a walk and four strikeouts. Kevan Smith will start at catcher and bat seventh.

Jeffers isn't starting Thursday's game against Cleveland, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Jeffers blasted his fifth home run of the season in Tuesday's loss to the Reds, but he'll get a breather for Thursday's series opener against Cleveland. Ben Rortvedt will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Smith is not in the lineup Thursday at Cincinnati, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smith started the past three games and will receive the day off after going 3-for-12 with a solo homer and an additional RBI. Austin Barnes will work behind the plate Thursday in his place.

Cleveland activated Hedges (concussion) from the 7-day injured list Thursday. He'll start at catcher and bat ninth in Cleveland's series opener in Minnesota.

Hedges spent the minimum amount of time on the IL after he sustained the head injury last week and entered the concussion protocol. With Hedges having received full medical clearance, he should step back in as Cleveland's No. 1 catcher while the team awaits Roberto Perez's (finger) return from the 60-day IL. Cleveland designated backstop Ryan Lavarnway for assignment to clear room on the active roster for Hedges.

Jackson (hamstring/finger) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jackson has been out with a hamstring injury since the beginning of May, but he recently suffered a finger injury during his rehab assignment and hasn't appeared in a game since June 9. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to game action, but he'll be sidelined until early July following his move to the 60-day IL.

Rogers is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Rogers had caught each of the Tigers' last four games, so he'll just be getting a breather in the series opener. Eric Haase steps in behind the plate, forming a battery with starting pitcher Jose Urena.

Stallings isn't starting Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

Stallings has gone 1-for-8 with an RBI and three strikeouts across his last two appearances, and he'll retreat to the bench for the third time in the last five games. Michael Perez will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Murphy isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Murphy is in the midst of a 10-game on-base streak, and he's gone 5-for-11 with two home runs, two doubles, four runs, four RBI and two walks across the last three contests. Aramis Garcia will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.