MLB Player News

Kirk was removed from Tuesday's game versus Baltimore due to a left elbow contusion.

Kirk took a 98-mile-per-hour sinker off his left elbow during the sixth inning of Tuesday's contest and was replaced behind the dish by Brian Serven during the bottom half of the frame. Although Kirk managed to escape with just a bruise, it's still unclear if he'll be able to start Wednesday's series finale. Should he need to miss any amount of time, the Jays would presumably call up another catcher from the minors.

The Tigers acquired Liranzo and infielder Trey Sweeney from the Dodgers on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Jack Flaherty, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Liranzo is known for his raw power and impressive patience at the dish, although his production at Single-A last season (155 wRC+) was more noteworthy than what he has done this season in his age-20/21 season at High-A. Liranzo slashed .220/.344/.356 with seven home runs, a 15.6 percent walk rate and a 26.1 percent strikeout rate in 74 games with High-A Great Lakes. Sometimes hitters wait to get going at the plate until the weather warms up in the Midwest League, but Liranzo has a .627 OPS since the start of June. He gets mixed reviews for his defense behind the plate and got 24 starts this season at first base in addition to his 43 starts at catcher for Great Lakes.

McCann has been diagnosed with multiple nose fractures but has been cleared to play, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

McCann remarkably stayed in Monday's game against the Blue Jays after being struck in the face by a Yariel Rodriguez pitch. He is undoubtedly very sore and the Orioles would probably prefer to avoid using him, if possible, but he'll be available off the bench Tuesday against Toronto.

Hunt was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

James McCann suffered a broken nose via a fastball to the face in Monday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, so Hunt is up to serve as the short-term backup to Adley Rutschman. Hunt would be making his big-league debut if he appears in a game. The 25-year-old backstop is a career .240/.300/.460 hitter with 13 home runs in 74 games at Triple-A over the last two seasons and across three organizations (Rays, Mariners, Orioles).

Fry is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

Fry will get some rest for the series finale after he started at either designated hitter or first base in each of Cleveland's last five games while going 4-for-15 with two walks, one RBI and one run. Jose Ramirez will get a day off from playing third base and will serve as the Guardians' DH while Fry hits the bench.

Hedges will start at catcher and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

Hedges is part of the lineup for just the second time in eight games, with his inclusion being the result of top backstop Bo Naylor getting rest in a day game after a night game. The Guardians value Hedges' pitch-framing skills and ability to control the run game, but he's a well-below-average performer at the plate, even by the standards of backup catchers. He enters Tuesday's contest with a .157 average and four extra-base hits over 90 plate appearances on the season.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

Naylor will get a breather for Tuesday's day game after he caught all nine innings while going 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in the Guardians' 8-4 win Monday night. Austin Hedges will receive a turn behind the plate while Naylor rests.

Dingler is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians.

After getting recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Dingler made his MLB debut in the Tigers' 8-4 loss later in the evening, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI. He'll get a breather for the day game after a night game, affording Jake Rogers a turn behind the dish. The Tigers could deploy the two catchers in relatively even fashion in the short term, but Dingler looks to be the more intriguing fantasy option of the two. The 25-year-old popped 17 home runs, stole five bases and batted .308 while walking at a 10.2 percent clip over 71 games at Toledo prior to his promotion.

Raleigh went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Monday's 14-7 loss against the Red Sox.

Raleigh went back-to-back with Randy Arozarena in the sixth inning and extended a hitting streak to five games, which ties his longest this season. Raleigh launched his 23rd homer, which leads all MLB catchers in the current campaign. The 27-year-old has been hot in the month of July with nine home runs in 22 games. Raleigh has also racked up eight multi-hit games in July, the same amount he had in his previous 80 games this season.

Dingler went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and an RBI in Monday's 8-4 loss to the Guardians.

Making his MLB debut, Dingler batted sixth and looked fairly comfortable in the position. The 25-year-old certainly earned the promotion, as he was slashing .308/.379/.559 for Triple-A Toledo so far this season, and Sunday's trade of Carson Kelly opened up a roster spot. The rookie will likely split time with Jake Rogers behind the plate just like Kelly did, though Dingler could quickly seize a larger share of playing time if he plays well. His short-term fantasy value is pointing upward.