MLB Player News

Langeliers went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in a 5-0 win against the Angels on Thursday.

Langeliers had the key hit in a big first inning for the A's, clobbering a 430-foot homer to center field to account for the first three runs of the contest. The blossoming star extended his on-base streak to 11 games with the long ball, and during that stretch he's clubbed three homers and driven in six runs. On the season, Langeliers' 19 homers rank second among catchers behind Hunter Goodman (21), and Langeliers' .870 OPS trails only Drake Baldwin among catchers with at least 200 plate appearances.

Perez went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a double in a 14-6 rout of the Cardinals on Thursday.

Perez made history in the sixth inning with a 385-foot solo blast to left field. It was his 137th regular-season homer at Kauffman Stadium, establishing a record for long balls hit at the ballpark, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The home run was also Perez's 313th in his career, putting him four away from reaching George Brett's franchise mark of 317. Perez came into Thursday without a homer over his previous 17 games, a span during which he batted just .157 (11-for-70).

Atlanta designated Leon for assignment on Thursday.

With Atlanta acquiring Joey Bart (foot) from the Pirates, Leon loses his spot on the 40-man roster after going 4-for-44 at the plate with zero extra-base hits and a 0:18 BB:K across 21 games.

Atlanta acquired Bart (foot) from the Pirates on Thursday in exchange for Hunter Stratton.

Bart has spent the last month-plus on the injured list due to a foot infection, but he began a rehab assignment last week and appears ready to make his return to the big leagues with Atlanta, where he'll serve as the backup to Drake Baldwin while Sean Murphy recovers from a broken finger that is expected to sideline him until after the All-Star break. In just 62 trips to the plate this season with the Pirates, Bart slashed .259/.290/.379 with two homers, six RBI, nine runs scored and a 2:21 BB:K.

Rutschman was removed from Thursday's game against Seattle after getting hit in the head by an errant throw, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

An errant throw to first base connected with Rutschman's helmet while he was attempting to leg out an infield hit in the ninth inning. He was taken out of the game immediately after the incident and will presumably be tested for a concussion. An update on his status may come after the game.

Jeffers (hand) began taking dry swings June 10, MLB.com reports.

In addition to swinging a bat, Jeffers has been able to do some throwing, running and catching drills since undergoing surgery May 20 to address a left hamate bone fracture. Over the next week or so, Jeffers is expected to gradually ramp up the intensity of his workouts, which will eventually include facing live pitching. He's without a definitive timeline to return from the 10-day injured list, but the expectation is that he'll be ready for activation at some point in July.

The Reds selected Banfield's contract Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville.

Banfield will remain in the minors despite joining the 40-man roster, claiming the spot that previously belonged to P.J. Higgins. Banfield has spent the entire season at Louisville while slashing .281/.337/.439 with six home runs, 34 RBI and 26 runs across 189 plate appearances. He'd likely be promoted if Tyler Stephenson or Jose Trevino were to miss any amount of time.

Higgins cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Louisville.

After losing his place on the active roster Sunday following Jose Trevino's return from the injured list, Higgins will now also be booted off the Reds' 40-man roster. The 33-year-old backstop posted a .545 OPS across 14 games with the big club and hasn't been better since moving to Triple-A, slashing just .125/.375/.125 over 48 plate appearances. Fellow catcher Will Banfield was selected to the 40-man roster in a corresponding move.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Guardians.

It's a rare day off for Contreras, but he will get some rest for Thursday's afternoon game after starting the previous five tilts. Gary Sanchez will do the catching and bat sixth as the Brewers go for the series sweep.

Bailey is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.

Bailey started Wednesday's night game at catcher, so he'll get a breather during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Austin Hedges will grab a start behind the dish as the Guardians look to avoid the sweep.