Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen had a huge game on Friday night to help the Rays beat the Braves in Tampa. Jansen went 3-for-4 with his first home run of the season and added a double and four RBI in the Rays' 6-3 victory. Jansen has played nine games for the Rays this season and had gone just 1-for-26 (.038) before breaking through as a surprising hero on Friday night. He and Ben Rortvedt will continue to share time behind the plate, but so far Jansen has gotten most of the work, despite his offensive struggles. After such a slow start, Jansen isn't a fantasy option at this point, but it's worth watching to see if this big game is the start of something more.

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen (rib) is in Friday's starting lineup. Jansen will be behind the dish and bat sixth against Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland. Jansen was sidelined at the end of spring training due to a pulled muscle in his rib cage. However, the 29-year-old was able to progress enough and will not miss Opening Day. Earlier in the offseason, the Rays signed Jansen to a one-year deal worth $8.5 million to be the primary backstop. Before the injury, Jansen tallied three round-trippers with a .320/.452/.640 slash line with two doubles and two long balls across 11 contests in the Grapefruit League. Last season, Jansen posted a modest .205/.309/.349 slash line with nine long balls. He is worth a look in DFS competitions facing Freeland, who posted a 5.24 ERA last season.

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen (rib) appears to be ready to play on Opening Day on Friday against the Colorado Rockies after testing out his injured rib muscle while catching and hitting in a simulated game on Wednesday, according to Bally Sports' Ryan Bass. Jansen didn't have any limitations in Wednesday's sim game, clearing the way for him to be active on Friday. The 29-year-old backstop will open the 2025 campaign as Tampa's starting catcher after hitting a combined .205/.309/.349 with a .658 OPS, nine home runs and 24 RBI in 92 games with the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in 2024. Jansen has decent pop for a catcher, but durability is an issue, as he's played in more than 100 games just once in his seven MLB seasons, and not since 2019. Expect the Rays to rest him regularly with Ben Rortvedt.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that catcher Danny Jansen (rib) is doing better and will test his injured rib in a five- to six-inning simulated game on Wednesday. Jansen has been out the last few days due to a pulled rib muscle, but if he responds well to Wednesday's simulated game, he will be included on the team's Opening Day roster. If Jansen doesn't do so well on Wednesday, Kenny Piper will open the year as Tampa's backup catcher behind Ben Rortvedt. The good news is that even if Jansen isn't ready for Friday's season opener, it sounds like he won't have a lengthy absence to begin the regular season. The 29-year-old Jansen had a solid spring training, batting .320 (8-for-25) with two doubles, two home runs and four RBI in 11 Grapefruit League games. He has decent pop for a catcher, but Jansen's injury history makes him a No. 2 fantasy catcher.

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen (rib) has been unavailable for the last few days in spring training due to a rib-muscle pull, but manager Kevin Cash is hoping that they can get him back in the Grapefruit League lineup for one of the final two spring games or Wednesday's intrasquad game. "We're trying to just manage it and keep him off the field for a couple days," Cash said. "He's in a really good spot." The 29-year-old hasn't played since Wednesday, and his availability for Opening Day next Thursday is now up in the air. It would be a shame if he's not ready, as Jansen has gone 8-for-25 with two home runs, four RBI and six runs in 11 Grapefruit League games. When healthy, Jansen is expected to be Tampa's primary backstop, but he's no stranger to missing time due to injuries in his career. If he's not ready by the end of next week, Ben Rortvedt will jump into the No. 1 catching spot.

Free-agent catcher Danny Jansen and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed on a one-year, $8.5 million deal on Friday that includes a mutual option for a second season in 2026, according to sources. Jansen played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in 2024 and will remain in the American League East. In 92 games for the Jays and Red Sox this past season, Jansen struggled to the tune of a .205/.309/.349 slash line with a well below-average .658 OPS, nine home runs, 24 RBI and 35 runs scored in 324 total plate appearances. Injuries continue to limit the 29-year-old's playing time, but he did post double-digit home runs in the previous three seasons at the weak catcher position. Jansen could have a rebound season in Tampa in 2025 while splitting playing time with Ben Rortvedt, but he's going to need to stay healthy, which has been an issue for him in his MLB career.

Boston Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen is set to make history on Monday as Boston will resume their game with the Toronto Blue Jays that was suspended on June 26. Jansen, who played in that game with the Blue Jays, will now replace Reese McGuire as the Red Sox's catcher (according to manager Alex Cora) after being traded to Boston at the trade deadline. This will mark the first time in MLB history that a player will play on both teams during one game. The 29-year-old has been a productive hitter with the Red Sox, slashing .231/.333/.385 with two homers and five RBI in 14 games (69 at-bats).

The Boston Red Sox have finalized a deal that will send Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen to Boston. The full details of the trade have yet to be disclosed, but one player that is confirmed to be heading back Toronto's way is infielder Cutter Coffey, a second round pick in 2022 that has been playing in Single-A Greenville this year and has posted a .784 OPS in 240 AB. Jansen has been having a down year by his standards, hitting for just a 90 OPS+ after hitting for a 114 OPS+ in 2023 and a 142 OPS+ in 2022. Boston appears to be looking to upgrade their backup catcher position though as Jansen's production far outweighs what they're receiving from Reese McGuire (60 OPS+). With Jansen having familiarity within the AL East already, fantasy managers should continue to expect his production to remain fairly consistent. His earliest chance to join the Red Sox will be Sunday against Yankees' starter Carlos Rodon.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is out of the starting lineup again on Friday for the start of the second half of the season against the visiting Detroit Tigers. Alejandro Kirk will get another start behind the dish and will bat seventh versus Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty. It looks like Jansen is no longer the preferred catcher for Toronto, as Kirk started over him in five of the final eight games in the first half of the seasons and will get the nod again on Friday. The 29-year-old Jansen has much more fantasy appeal than Kirk because of his power, but he's had trouble staying healthy and hasn't impressed with a .223/.316/.391 slash line in his 184 at-bats in 2024. Kirk, on the other hand, hasn't been any better, batting .234 (37-for-158) with only two home runs and 24 RBI for Toronto.

The Toronto Blue Jays reinstated catcher Danny Jansen from the paternity list on Thursday and optioned catcher Brian Serven to Triple-a Buffalo in a corresponding move. Jansen is serving as the designated hitter and is batting in the two-hole for the Jays on Thursday against the visiting Houston Astros and left-hander Framber Valdez. The 29-year-old backstop missed the first three games of the series against Houston but will return for the series finale on the Fourth of July. Injuries have limited Jansen to 163 at-bats in 2024, and he's hitting just .227/.316/.399 with a .714 OPS, five home runs and 16 RBI. He's been a league-average hitter as he shares playing time with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Jansen isn't going to hit for average, but he has decent pop at the weak catcher position when he's healthy.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed catcher Danny Jansen on the paternity list on Monday and recalled catcher Brian Serven from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Jansen will likely miss the next three days and the series against the visiting Houston Astros to begin the first week in July. In his absence, Alejandro Kirk will serve as Toronto's primary catcher with Serven backing him up. Kirk is behind the plate for Canada Day on Monday and is batting eighth against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown. Jansen hit just .129 (8-for-62) with no homers, three doubles and 14 strikeouts in 20 games in June, so he'll be hoping to turn things around after returning from the paternity list. Kirk hasn't been much better this year, going 27-for-131 (.206) with only two homers and 18 RBI as Toronto's other catcher.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. The 29-year-old is mired in a slump as he has collected just one base hit (a single) across his last five starts (six appearances) and 21 trips to the plate, so he will take a seat against Guardians righty Ben Lively on Saturday afternoon. Alejandro Kirk will take over and hit eighth on Saturday. A free-agent-to-be, Jansen has established himself as perhaps one of this summer's highly-touted trade targets as he has hit five homers alongside an 11.7% BB% and a .746 OPS across an injury-shortened 45 games played, production that grades out 14% superior to the league average, as per his 114 wRC+. Jansen has quietly been one of the more productive catchers in baseball in recent seasons but has had trouble staying healthy while playing in a timeshare with Kirk.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's afternoon contest against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old went 0-for-4 with a pair of walks and a run scored in Friday's extra-innings win but will give way to Alejandro Kirk behind the dish on Saturday. Jansen is in the midst of an excellent season that has seen him hit .287 with five homers alongside a .906 OPS across 116 trips to the plate as he dealt with a broken hand earlier in the season. His productive bat has not only given him the lion's share of starts over Kirk behind the plate but has earned him a spot in the two-hole on a regular basis of late. He has emerged an excellent No. 1 catcher for fantasy managers in the 2024 campaign.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is taking the day off on Saturday in Detroit with the team taking on the Tigers. With Jansen riding the pine, Alejandro Kirk will step in to catch right-hander Jose Berrios while batting sixth against Tigers right-hander Reese Olson. Jansen got a late start to the 2024 season due to injury, but he didn't let the late start get to him, as he's currently hitting .313 (25-for-80) with five home runs, 13 RBI and 16 runs as he shares playing time with Kirk at catcher in Toronto. He has 18 hits in 54 at-bats (.333 average) in the month of May with three homers and 11 RBI. Kirk, meanwhile, hasn't been nearly as reliable for fantasy managers with a .207/.297/.287 slash line with just one long ball and 13 RBI in his 87 at-bats.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is being rested on Wednesday versus the visiting Chicago White Sox. Alejandro Kirk will do the catching for right-hander Chris Bassitt and will bat seventh in the batting order against White Sox rookie right-hander Nick Nastrini, who is making only his third career start. Jansen got a late start to the 2024 season due to a fracture in his hand, but it hasn't slowed him down at all, as he's currently slashing .319/.390/.653 with a 1.043 OPS, five home runs, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored in his first 72 at-bats. He's been even better so far in May, going 16-for-46 (.348) with three homers and 10 RBI. Jansen has earned more playing time over Kirk early in the year as Toronto's primary backstop. Kirk, meanwhile, is under the Mendoza Line at .198 with a homer and 12 RBI in 81 at-bats.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen continued his breakout offensive season in Monday's 9-3 win over the White Sox. Jansen batted second, going 3-for-5 with a single, a double, a two-run home run, and five RBI. The 29-year-old is now slashing an impressive .333/.397/.681 with five HR and 12 RBI in 78 plate appearances. He has started to earn regular at-bats and is hitting much better than his batterymate Alejandro Kirk, who is slashing just .198/.295/.284. Jansen is currently rostered in just 17% of leagues. Fantasy managers may not need to look his way in shallower leagues, but he is definitely worth a roster spot in at least all two-catcher leagues at this time.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is hitting in the two-hole on Monday against the visiting Chicago White Sox and right-hander Erick Fedde. The Blue Jays have recently been using Davis Schneider in the leadoff spot instead of veteran George Springer to try and jump-start their struggling offense, so perhaps Jansen will get more looks in the No. 2 spot moving forward as well. The 29-year-old backstop will hit higher than fifth for the first time this year, but he's earned a move up the batting order by slashing .313/.384/.625 with a 1.009 OPS, four home runs and seven RBI in his first 64 at-bats of the year. For as long as Jansen's move up the lineup lasts, he'll be more attractive in all fantasy formats. Jansen got a late start to the season due to an injury. He has a career .228 batting average but has decent pop for a catcher sharing playing time with Alejandro Kirk.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen (back) is experiencing back spasms, according to manager John Schneider. Jansen is getting treatment and the hope is that he can be available off the bench, if needed, on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles on the road. Alejandro Kirk will do the catching for Toronto on Monday and will hit sixth in the batting order against Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes. Jansen will miss his second straight game after he was held out of Sunday's series finale against the Minnesota Twins. The 29-year-old should be considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to check back on Tuesday to see if Jansen is back in action. Jansen got a late start to the 2024 season due to a fractured wrist but has made up for lost time by going 17-for-54 (.315) with four home runs and seven RBI in his first 18 games.

After making his season debut on Tuesday, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen will take a seat on the bench for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival New York Yankees. Jansen just returned from a fractured wrist on Tuesday, and the Blue Jays are going to ease him back into the fold behind the plate. Alejandro Kirk is doing the catching for right-hander Kevin Gausman and will hit eighth against Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman. Jansen went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in his first start on Tuesday and could need some time before he gets going at the plate after a long layoff. Kirk has been slow out of the gates, too, going 10-for-50 (.200) with no homers and eight RBI. He has a hit in his two career at-bats against Stroman.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen (wrist), who was activated from the injured list on Monday, is expected to make his 2024 debut on Tuesday against the New York Yankees and left-hander Carlos Rodon. Jansen suffered a fractured right wrist when he was hit by a pitch in a spring training game on March 13. He'll wear special padding to protect his hands because he's been prone to hand injuries due to the way he swings. The return of Jansen will mean fewer rest days for catcher Alejandro Kirk moving forward. Jansen hit .228 last year but with 17 home runs and 53 RBI for the Blue Jays. If he can stay healthy the rest of the way, he can provide some nice pop at the catcher position for fantasy managers. Jansen has never faced Rodon in his career.