Fermin went 1-for-4 with one RBI and a stolen base in Monday's 9-5 loss to the Red Sox.

Fermin tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI single in the fourth inning and then logged the first steal of his big-league career. This was his 146th career game, so it's unlikely he becomes a sudden speed threat. He has been hitting well lately, going 17-for-49 (.347) with two home runs, eight RBI and four runs scored over 14 contests since the All-Star break. That has earned him a more regular place in the lineup between catcher and designated hitter. Fermin is at a .304/.352/.429 slash line with six homers, 30 RBI, 10 doubles and 30 runs scored over 245 plate appearances this season, numbers nearly identical to what he posted over 70 games and 235 plate appearances in 2023.

Naylor went 2-for-4 with a triple, one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored in Monday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Diamondbacks.

Naylor put the Guardians ahead for the first time with his RBI single in the second inning. This game was his first multi-hit effort since July 4. The catcher has struggled to hit consistently in his first full year in the majors, batting .206 with a .628 OPS, eight home runs, nine doubles, two triples, four steals, 32 RBI and 32 runs scored over 83 contests. Naylor has alternated starts with Austin Hedges over the last six games, so it's fair to assume that the Guardians will deploy a timeshare behind the dish going forward, though it doesn't appear to be a strict platoon situation.

Ford (concussion) took a full game's worth of plate appearances as the designated hitter in Double-A Arkansas' win over Midland on Sunday, going 1-for-4 with a run.

Ford was returning to action from the 7-day IL after being placed in concussion protocol due to taking a ball off his facemask July 25. The promising prospect should be able to resume catching duties at any point and sports a .247 average and .740 OPS across his first 83 games at the Double-A level this season.

Lee is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics.

After catching three consecutive games, Lee will yield to Chuckie Robinson for Monday's series opener. Lee is 6-for-35 (.171) with three RBi and four runs scored since the All-Star break.

Fermin will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Fermin has now stuck in the lineup for six straight contests, with the Royals facing three left-handed and three right-handed starters during that stretch. Though his playing time against southpaws looks to be more secure, Fermin has earned the extra opportunities versus righties by slashing .284/.319/.426 while producing a 104 wRC+ in those matchups.

Heim is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

After starting behind the plate Saturday and Sunday against the Red Sox, Heim will take a seat for Monday's series opener. In Heim's place, Carson Kelly will bat ninth and handle catching duties.

Caratini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

Caratini's playing time had been trending up while the Astros had shown more of a willingness to play Yordan Alvarez in left field of late, but the former now finds himself on the bench for the second day in a row. Assuming Alvarez gets the bulk of his starts at DH moving forward, Yainer Diaz will continue to serve as the Astros' top backstop, which closes off Caratini's path to steady starts.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Jeffers will take a seat for the series finale as he and Christian Vazquez continue to alternate turns behind the dish. Neither of the two backstops has made consecutive starts at catcher since the All-Star break.

Rogers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Rogers had started behind the plate in the previous two contests, but he'll hit the bench for the series finale with Kansas City while Dillon Dingler handles catching duties. The two backstops could be deployed in a timeshare until one clearly separates himself from the other as the preferred option.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Naylor has a .626 OPS in 10 games since the All-Star break and will take a seat for Sunday's matchup with Baltimore. Austin Hedges will step behind the plate to catch for right-hander Gavin Williams.