MLB Player News

Stassi (forearm) is back in the lineup against the White Sox on Thursday.

Stassi will handle the catching duties and bat eighth in the order. He was forced to miss Wednesday's game after getting struck by a pitch on his right forearm Tuesday. Over 49 games this year, he's hit .255/.340/.482 with seven home runs and 22 RBI.

Garver is out of the lineup against Baltimore on Thursday.

Garver will take a seat after going 0-for-3 during Wednesday's game after the Brewers. Bobby Wilson will handle the catching duties for the third time in the past four games.

McCann is out of the lineup against the Rangers on Thursday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

John Hicks will handle the catching duties and spell McCann after the latter started the past four games. Look for McCann to return to the starting lineup Friday.

Perez (ankle) had his rehabilitation assignment moved from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Perez, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list June 16 with a right ankle sprain, went 4-for-16 at Frisco since beginning a rehab assignment June 28. The Rangers can keep him on rehab another 13 days.

Stassi (forearm) is not expected to miss significant time, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stassi was held out Wednesday after taking a pitch off his right forearm Tuesday. Manager A.J. Hinch is hoping to play Stassi "in the next day or so" as the Astros kick off a home series with the White Sox on Thursday. In the meantime, Tim Federowicz will fill in as the primary catcher while Evan Gattis is the backup.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Braves.

The catcher has recorded the first three hits of his big-league career in the last four games, and amazingly all of them have left the yard, making Higashioka only the second Yankee in history after Alfonso Soriano to homer for his first three hits. Austin Romine (hamstring) will likely rejoin the lineup soon, but Higashioka's power display could lead to more playing time for the 28-year-old while Gary Sanchez (groin) is on the shelf.

Gomes is not in the lineup against the Royals on Wednesday.

Gomes will receive a standard day off after starting the past four games. In his spot, Roberto Perez will catch Trevor Bauer and bat eighth.

Stassi (hand) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against Texas, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Stassi will remain on the bench after leaving Tuesday's contest following a hit by pitch on his right hand in the first inning. He should be considered day-to-day ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the White Sox.

Higashioka will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday against the Braves.

Higashioka will draw his fourth straight start behind the plate with the top option on the active roster, Austin Romine, still battling a tight hamstring. Per Coley Harvey of ESPN.com, Romine said Wednesday that he's feeling "great" and hasn't endured any setbacks in his recovery from the injury, so after a team off day Thursday, the backstop could be ready to rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener in Toronto. Once Romine is back to full strength, Higashioka, who has recorded two hits -- both homers -- over 10 at-bats in his previous three starts, will likely only be asked to play a couple times per week.

Gomes went 1-for-5 with a grand slam in a win over the Royals on Tuesday.

Gomes took starter Danny Duffy deep in the sixth inning for his 10th homer of the year. Gomes registered a hit for his third consecutive game, and is coming off a decent June in which he hit .284/.360/.537 with three homers and 11 RBI. The backstop strikes out about 30 percent of the time, but has still managed to produce to the tune of 28 RBI and 29 runs in 61 games.