MLB Player News

Vazquez is not in the starting lineup in Game 1 of the ALDS versus New York on Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Sandy Leon will handle the catching duties for the first game of the series while Vazquez gets the night off. Look for Vazquez to set up behind the plate in Game 2 with David Price on the mound.

Higashioka isn't included on the 25-man roster for the ALDS against the Red Sox, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Higashioka was an active member of the team for the AL Wild Card Game, but he won't take the field for the Yankees' upcoming series. He's yet to receive any playing time in the 2018 postseason.

Manager Terry Francona said that Gomes will start Game 1 of the ALDS versus Houston on Friday and will not have any restrictions in his throwing hand after requiring a two stitches in his right thumb last weekend, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Fortunately for Gomes, the stitches weren't placed in a spot that will impact his throwing or hitting. The backstop was able to throw to the bases during a workout session in Houston and didn't appear to have any issues, so consider him ready to go for this series.

Gomes (thumb) is not playing in Tuesday's intrasquad scrimmage but expects to be ready to go for the start of the ALDS on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes missed the final game of the season after getting stitches in his thumb Saturday. He should be ready to be the starter behind the plate for the first game against the Astros. Roberto Perez will get the call if Gomes needs another day to recover.

Perez will undergo lateral collateral ligament reconstruction on his thumb Tuesday, Joel Goldberg of FOX Sports Kansas City reports.

The veteran catcher finished 2018 batting a career-low .237 with a .719 OPS that was 73 points lower than his 2017 mark. There's no word yet on how long Perez's rehab will be at this time, but that figures to come into focus after his procedure.

Narvaez (back) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Royals, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Narvaez has been seeing steady starts at either catcher or designated hitter over the past week, but he'll end the campaign on the bench after tweaking his back in Saturday's 8-3 loss. Welington Castillo will get the nod behind the dish while Daniel Palka serves as the club's designated hitter in the season finale.

Wynns is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Wynns has alternated starts each of the last seven games and is 4-for-12 with two walks in his last 14 plate appearances. The 27-year-old has a .255/.287/.382 slash line in 110 at-bats this season. Caleb Joseph will start behind the plate and bat ninth for the Orioles.

Gomes (thumb) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes suffered a right thumb bruise and laceration that required stitches Saturday, so it's not surprising to see him held out of the regular-season finale. The 31-year-old is day-to-day for now, and his ability or lack thereof to participate in Tuesday's intrasquad game should help determine his recovery timeline, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. The ALDS begins Friday at Houston, so Gomes will have most of the week to test things out. Eric Haase will start behind the plate for the Indians on Sunday.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Jansen went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Saturday's game as his September struggles -- .178/.288/.333 slash line in 45 at-bats -- continued. Reese McGuire grabs another start behind the plate for the Blue Jays, and the two figure to battle for catching duties come spring training.

Maldonado is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Maldonado will take a seat for the second straight game after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader. The 32-year-old has a .225/.276/.351 slash line with nine home runs in 373 at-bats between the Angels and Astros this season. Max Stassi will start behind the plate and bat eighth in his absence.