MLB Player News

Maldonado is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Indians.

Maldonado will head to the bench for a breather after starting four of the team's first five games behind the dish, including two straight. In his place, Rene Rivera will start at catcher and hit ninth.

Rupp agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old backstop was released by the Phillies after an uninspiring spring showing, as he tallied just seven hits in 37 at-bats (.189 batting average). He does have a bit of power that makes up for his low .234 career batting average, but it's unlikely that he'll get regular playing time in Arlington unless Robinson Chirinos or Juan Centeno incurs an injury. Rupp will begin his Rangers tenure with their Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock.

Garver said he'll be available off the bench for Monday's game against the Pirates, despite dealing with some soreness on his scalp, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Garver avoided a concussion after colliding with the Orioles' Manny Machado during Sunday's game, with the catcher coming away with merely some bruising on the left side of his head. With primary backstop Jason Castro reentering the lineup Monday, Garver will reprise his normal backup duties at catcher.

Stassi started Sunday and went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in an 8-2 victory over Texas.

Stassi has started two of Houston's first four games, so early on it's looking like he'll get a significant amount of plate appearances as Brian McCann's backup. Particularly if the man he's catching for throws a gem like Gerrit Cole, who allowed one run on two hits while striking out 11 Rangers. The 27-year-old Stassi has reached base safely and driven in at least one run in both games.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Gomes was behind the plate for the Tribe's first two games of the season, going 2-for-7 with a home run and three RBI in those contests. It's expected that he'll split reps behind the plate in fairly even fashion with Roberto Perez this season, as was the case for a large portion of 2017. The lack of a clear No. 1 backstop makes the Indians' catching situation one to avoid outside of AL-only settings.

Sanchez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested a day earlier that Sanchez would likely be rested for the series finale, so the slugger's absence doesn't come as a surprise. Austin Romine will take his first turn behind the plate this season and bat ninth for New York.

McCann will be on the bench for the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Pirates, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers will stick with the same lineup they planned to go with Saturday before that contest was rained out, so McCann will give way to John Hicks in the first half of the twin bill before returning behind the plate for Game 2. McCann went 2-for-6 with a double, walk, run and two RBI in the Tigers' 13-inning loss in the season opener Friday.

Manager Aaron Boone said Sanchez probably won't play Sunday against the Blue Jays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez has started the Yankees' first three games behind the dish, so he'll open Sunday's series finale on the bench as Austin Romine picks up the start. While Boone didn't completely rule Sanchez out, it sounds like he wants to give the backstop the entire game off. Look for Sanchez to return to the lineup Monday against the Rays.

Vazquez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Sandy Leon will receive his first action of the season in Vazquez's place. Last season, Vazquez received 345 plate appearances compared to Leon's 301. That ratio is closer to a 50-50 split than a true starter/backup situation, a scenario which figures to continue this season.

Perez is not in the lineup against Seattle on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Perez will remain on the bench while Yan Gomes earns another start behind the plate. It's expected that the two will split time this season.