MLB Player News

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Friday's game in Baltimore, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

That's back-to-back games on the bench for Sanchez, who had started the previous six games. The 25-year-old has 12 home runs and 35 RBI on the season, but is currently mired in a 2-for-24 slump.

Stassi, who was given the day off Thursday, will catch the next three games, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stassi has become the primary starter behind the plate after Brian McCann (knee) was placed on the 10-day disabled list. While the playing time was somewhat equitable when Stassi and McCann were sharing the job, Stassi is expected to get a significant share of the at-bats at catcher with Tim Federowicz up from Triple-A Fresno to replace McCann. Now might be a good time to look at Stassi for fantasy lineups, as he's riding a seven-game hitting streak in which he's gone 9-for-26 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBI.

Sanchez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

Sanchez has started six straight games, so he'll head to the bench for a breather while Austin Romine sets up behind the dish in his stead. Sanchez is hitting just .211 this season, though his 12 homers and 35 RBI are elite numbers among backstops.

Vazquez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's series opener against Houston, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Vazquez will get the day off after going 0-for-4 in Wednesday's matchup against the Blue Jays. Sandy Leon is slated to handle the catching duties and bat eighth.

Maldonado is not in Thursday's starting lineup against the Tigers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Maldonado will get a breather after starting four straight games. He's gone 3-for-15 with one home run and three RBI over that span. Jose Briceno will handle the catching duties and is slated to bat ninth in Thursday's series finale.

Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Astros.

Sanchez entered Wednesday's tilt amidst an 0-for-18 stretch, but he came through with a clutch two-run single to put the Yankees in the lead. His 12 homers and 33 RBI remain elite among catchers, but his current .211/.313/.485 slash line leaves some room for improvement.

Stassi went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

Stassi provided all of Houston's offense in this one, smacking a two-run homer in the fifth before tacking on an RBI double in the ninth off closer Aroldis Chapman. With Brian McCann (knee) on the disabled list, Stassi is set to take on the primary catching responsibilities in his stead. Even with the injury to McCann, Stassi has earned his playing time, slashing .303/.367/.562 through the opening two months.

Garver will get the day off for Wednesday's series finale versus Kansas City, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Bobby Wilson will take over the catching duties and bat ninth in his stead. Garver has collected three hits over the last two games, and he could be starting to heat up at the plate after breaking out of an 0-for-8 slump.

Zavala (wrist) was activated from the 7-day disabled list Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Zavala will look to continue his solid start at Double-A Birmingham after returning to health. He's already collected 15 extra-base hits and 26 RBI through 38 games.

Stassi will take on a bigger role after the Astros placed Brian McCann on the disabled list with soreness in his right knee, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. In the first game as Houston's primary catcher, he went 1-for-5 in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Yankees.

Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that Stassi will take on the majority of the workload behind the plate with McCann unavailable. The 27-year-old catcher, who ranks fourth among rookies with an .879 OPS, has made himself into a better hitter and defender. "(He) has swung the bat probably better than we even expected, given that he's been predominantly a soft platoon/backup player or backup catcher," Hinch said. "It's hard to contribute consistently in that role so I've been very happy with that. His receiving has gotten so much better over the last year or two and we're seeing it impact pitchers, seeing it impact balls and strikes, and that's a tribute to the work he's put in." Tim Fedorowicz was called up from Triple-A Fresno to provide some insurance, but his lack of familiarity with the starters will limit his opportunities.