MLB Player News

Realmuto went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and three runs in a 10-2 victory against the Giants on Thursday.

The 28-year-old has rediscovered his power stroke, as he's hit four home runs in his last seven games. Realmuto also has two doubles along with 10 RBI during that stretch, and because of this recent surge, he's closing in on topping last season's career high of 21 homers. He is batting .274 with 15 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs and four steals in 372 at-bats this season.

Jansen went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run in a win against Baltimore on Thursday.

Jansen had gone 19 games without a long ball before walloping a 430-foot homer to left field in the sixth inning. He also contributed a pair of singles to notch his first multi-hit game in over two weeks. Despite the recent struggles, Jansen has remained Toronto's primary option behind the plate, slashing .211/.282/.361 with nine home runs and 35 runs batted in over 295 plate appearances this season.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and a double in Thursday's win over the Padres.

Smith crushed a 405-foot grand slam in the sixth inning off reliever Trey Wingenter to give the Dodgers a 5-2 lead that would last the rest of the way. The 24-year-old catcher also doubled in the eighth inning to cap off another successful night at the plate. Smith has now gone 8-for-17 with four doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI since rejoining the Dodgers last weekend.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Thursday due to a bruised knee, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Vazquez apparently took a pitch off his knee Wednesday and will miss at least one game as a result. Sandy Leon is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth in his place.

D'Arnaud is not starting Thursday against the Red Sox.

D'Arnaud is slashing .333/.412/.733 with seven home runs and 22 RBI in 15 games since the All-Star break. He'll give way to Mike Zunino behind the dish for Thursday's series finale.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rays, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Vazquez will head to the bench for Thursday's series finale after starting the previous two games behind the dish and going 1-for-9 with a double and three strikeouts. In his place, Sandy Leon is starting at catcher and hitting ninth.

Nola went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs overall in a loss to the Rangers on Wednesday.

The rookie continues to feast on big-league arms, with his multi-hit night qualifying as his fourth in the last six games. Nola wrapped up July with a flourish, going 10-for-23 with four doubles, one triple, Wednesday's homer and four RBI over the last six games of the month. His positional versatility -- Nola has logged time at catcher and each infield position except shortstop thus far -- is helping to afford him consistent playing time, but his outstanding work with the bat (.356/.405/.630 across 80 plate appearances) certainly is helping cement his case as well.

McCann is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Welington Castillo will check in behind the plate in the series finale after McCann caught the prior two days. McCann maintains the top spot on the catching depth chart, but he's fallen into an offensive tailspin so far in the second half. Over 15 games since the All-Star break, McCann is batting .133 while striking out in 42.9 percent of his plate appearances.

Garver is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Garver will retreat to the bench after going 2-for-5 with two runs, three RBI and his 20th home run of the season in Wednesday's 7-4 win. Jason Castro will spell Garver behind the plate as the Twins and Marlins wrap up their series with a day game.

Perez went 2-for-3 with two home runs, a walk and four RBI in Thursday's 10-4 win over the Astros.

Perez kicked off the Tribe's scoring for the night with a three-run blast off rookie Jose Urquidy in the second inning before connecting on his 18th long ball of the season in the sixth. The two-homer performance ended a 15-game skid in which Perez contributed just three extra-base hits (all doubles) while batting just .167. Perez's elevated strikeout rate (27.5 percent) may continue to make him prone to prolonged cold spells, but the unforeseen power spike he's enjoyed this season has already made him a good value for those who roster him.