MLB Player News

Jackson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Jackson will give way to Rob Brantly behind the dish as the Rays wrap up their series in Oakland. Ben Rortvedt (personal) is likely to return from the paternity list this weekend in Los Angeles, so Jackson's brief run as the Rays' No. 1 backstop should soon come to an end. Jackson owns a lowly .434 OPS over 144 plate appearances on the season, but he's shown some improvement since the All-Star break with a .200/.294/.378 slash line across 18 games.

Lee went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Giants.

Lee came through with the game-winning RBI single in the top of the ninth inning. He has dominated playing time behind the plate in August with 13 starts in 17 games. Lee has been plagued by a 35.2 percent strikeout rate in that span, though he's managed four RBI and six runs scored.

Fermin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

After going 9-for-28 with three doubles and two walks while starting each of the past seven games, Fermin will get a breather in the series finale. Salvador Perez will return behind the plate Wednesday after occupying first base in Tuesday's 9-5 loss, while Hunter Renfroe gets a day out of the outfield and serves as the Royals' designated hitter.

Langeliers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Langeliers started the previous seven games and will receive a day off after hitting .375 with three doubles and a homer during that span. Kyle McCann will step in behind the plate Wednesday for Oakland.

Naylor is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

The Yankees are sending southpaw Nestor Cortes to the bump, so the left-handed-hitting Naylor will take a seat. Austin Hedges will start at catcher and bat ninth for the Guardians.

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Reds.

Kirk had started each of the previous six games (five at catcher, one at designated hitter), so he'll be given a day off for Wednesday's series finale. Brian Serven will start at catcher and bat ninth for the Blue Jays.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Jeffers and Christian Vazquez continue to alternate catching duties for the Twins, as Vazquez will be behind the plate for Wednesday's series finale after he caught the series opener Monday. The last time either player started at catcher in consecutive games came when Jeffers did it Aug. 7 and 9, and that latter game was the first of a doubleheader.

Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs in a loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Raleigh bounced back from an 0-for-4 night in the series opener Monday to contribute his second multi-hit effort of August. The slugging catcher's two-bagger was his sixth extra-base hit in 15 games this month, and that pop has helped him to a respectable .453 slugging percentage over that span despite a .189 average and 25.4 percent strikeout rate.

Kirk went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Reds.

His third-inning shot off Carson Spiers was one of five Toronto homers during a 10-3 rout. Kirk has had a tough season, but he's shown signs of turning things around since assuming the starting job behind the plate after Danny Jansen was traded to Boston. Over his last 19 contests, Kirk is slashing .297/.382/.422 with two of his four homers on the year and 11 of his 35 RBI.

Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's loss to the Padres.

Jeffers had one of two extra-base hits for the Twins, with his being a big blast in the fourth to put his team ahead 2-1. Jeffers now has a home run and a combined six RBI over his last three starts. Tuesday's homer brought him up to 20 for the season which extends his career high. His .785 OPS ranks fourth among all catchers. Jeffers remains locked into a fairly even timeshare behind the dish with Christian Vazquez, but 20 starts at DH have padded his playing time, and he continues to make the most of his opportunities. For the year, he's slashing .233/.313/.472 with 38 extra-base hits, 59 RBI, 46 runs, three steals and a 26:75 BB:K in 372 plate appearances.