MLB Player News

Piper went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer during the Rays' 5-3 loss to the Orioles on Friday.

Piper gave the Rays a 3-1 lead in the second inning by smacking a two-run homer to center field off Trevor Rogers. It was the first major-league home run of Pipers' career in just his second game in the big leagues. He's unlikely to see much more playing time for Tampa Bay, given that Liam Hicks and Nick Fortes are both ahead of Piper on the depth chart.

Heineman isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Heineman went 1-for-3 with an RBI and scored a run Thursday, but the Angels will keep him on the bench to begin Friday's series opener. Travis d'Arnaud will pick up a start behind the plate as a result and bat eighth.

Rivero (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Rivero suffered a left hamate fracture June 10 and has experienced some setbacks in his recovery after initially beginning a rehab assignment last month. The 27-year-old backstop has slashed .245/.286/.283 with a pair of doubles, eight RBI, five runs scored and a 3:12 BB:K across 57 plate appearances with the Halos this season.

In seven games since getting promoted to Triple-A Toledo, Briceno has gone just 4-for-24 with no home runs and nine strikeouts.

Briceno earned the promotion by slashing .297/.382/.672 with eight home runs across 76 plate appearances for Double-A Erie earlier in the season. So far, Triple-A hasn't been as welcoming for the 21-year-old, but he's shown good offensive upside throughout his time in the minors and should settle in with the Mud Hens eventually. Briceno remains the Tigers' top catching prospect and could start knocking on the door of the majors next year, though Dillon Dingler has solidified himself as Detroit's answer behind the plate, so Briceno may have to shift to a different position when he makes his MLB debut.

Diaz isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Diaz will sit out a second consecutive game after posting a .443 OPS in 37 plate appearances since the beginning of August. Christian Vazquez will start behind the plate and bat ninth Thursday.

Narvaez will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game versus the Yankees.

Samuel Basallo returned from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, but he's made one start at first base and one at designated hitter, allowing Narvaez to make a fourth consecutive start Thursday. Since Basallo is coming back from a right shoulder injury, the Orioles could be easing him back into catching duties. Narvaez is just 3-for-35 at the plate since joining Baltimore and has a .489 OPS on the season, so he's not a recommended fantasy play even if he does continue seeing regular reps.

Raleigh is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Milwaukee.

Raleigh is slashing just .104/.271/.229 in August as his season-long offensive struggles continue. Jhonny Pereda will fill in at catcher for the Mariners in the series finale while Raleigh regroups.

Heim is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Heim started at catcher the last two days, so he will get a breather during Thursday's matinee. Brian Serven will be behind the dish for the Athletics.

Kirk went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Rays.

The backstop got the Jays on the board with a solo shot off Drew Rasmussen in the top of the fourth inning. Kirk has left the yard in consecutive games and three times in the last five as part of an eight-game hitting streak. Over that heater, he's produced a .424/.500/.758 slash line with two doubles, five runs, nine RBI and a 5:2 BB:K.

Jensen is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Athletics.

Jensen -- who is sporting a .178/.302/.346 batting line in the second half -- will get a routine breather after starting the last four contests. Luke Maile is grabbing a start at catcher for the Royals.