MLB Player News
-
Martin Maldonado C | SD
White Sox's Martin Maldonado: Sitting Monday
Maldonado is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.
Maldonado and Korey Lee have now alternated turns behind the dish over the past six games, with both backstops drawing three starts apiece. With the White Sox sitting at 3-18 on the season and already shaping up as non-contenders, the 37-year-old Maldonado could become less of a priority as the campaign rolls along and the organization aims to get more of an evaluation of the 25-year-old Lee.
-
Carson Kelly C | CHC
Tigers' Carson Kelly: Losing work to Jake Rogers
Kelly is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.
Kelly is on the bench for a third straight game and may have moved into the clear No. 2 role behind the plate for the Tigers after he and Jake Rogers had operated in a timeshare for much of the first month of the season. Kelly's playing time has tailed off as his bat has cooled down; since going 3-for-5 in his first start of the season March 30 versus the White Sox, Kelly has slashed .139/.184/.250.
-
Seby Zavala C | LAD
Mariners' Seby Zavala: Produces in rare start
Zavala went 3-for-4 with an RBI single, a double and two runs during a win over the Rockies in the second game of a doubleheader Sunday.
Zavala got in on the Mariners' much-needed offensive breakout in a major way, as he paced the team with his three-hit day. The reserve backstop had only 12 plate appearances on the season coming into Sunday, last having played April 13. Cal Raleigh, who belted his team-leading fifth home run in Sunday's second game, has understandably been laying claim to the bulk of playing time behind the dish, although both he and Zavala were in the lineup for the closing installment of the twin bill since Raleigh filled the designated-hitter role.
-
Austin Wells C | NYY
Yankees' Austin Wells: Gives way to Trevino behind plate
Wells is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Wells will head to the bench for the fifth time in eight games, with four of those absences coming with the opposition bringing left-handed pitchers to the hill. Though the Yankees seem to be opting for a platoon at catcher between the lefty-hitting Wells and the righty-hitting Jose Trevino, it's possible that Wells moves into a pure backup role or is optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if he's unable to get going at the plate anytime soon. Wells has mustered a lowly .347 OPS through his first 13 games of the season.
-
Andrew Knizner C | SEA
Rangers' Andrew Knizner: Provides spark in comeback win
Knizner went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 6-4 win over Atlanta.
Knizner's three-run blast in the fourth inning helped erase Atlanta's early 3-0 lead. It was his first home run of the season and just his second hit. Knizner started for a second straight game and is filling in for Jonah Heim, who is currently on the bereavement list.
-
Cal Raleigh C | SEA
Mariners' Cal Raleigh: Another day, another homer
Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and three RBI in the Mariners' 10-2 win over the Rockies in Game 2 of their doubleheader Sunday.
Raleigh launched a two-run homer off reliever Noah Davis in the top of the sixth inning, driving in Julio Rodriguez in the process. He later added a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth, scoring J.P. Crawford for his third RBI of the game. The home run was the catcher's fifth of the season and his third over the last four games. Following Sunday's pair of contests, Raleigh is batting .258 with five homers, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored over 66 at-bats in 19 contests this year.
-
Austin Hedges C | CLE
Guardians' Austin Hedges: Swipes bag in win
Hedges went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Athletics.
Hedges has played in just seven of the Guardians' first 21 contests. He's shared backup duties at catcher with David Fry when Bo Naylor is not playing. Hedges is hitting .120 with three RBI, one runs scored, one double and a stolen base over 26 plate appearances, which includes 10 strikeouts and no walks. As a defensive catcher, it's no surprise Hedges is not adding much with the bat.
-
Tyler Heineman C | TOR
Red Sox's Tyler Heineman: Officially joins big club
The Red Sox recalled Heineman from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
The 32-year-old will join the active roster as Tristan Casas (ribs) makes his way to the 10-day injured list. Heineman will provide depth behind the plate as Boston's No. 3 catcher and is unlikely to see significant playing time.
-
Cal Raleigh C | SEA
Mariners' Cal Raleigh: Four hits, homer in win
Raleigh went 4-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's win over the Rockies. He also drew a walk.
Raleigh jumped on the first pitch he saw from Dakota Hudson in his first at-bat and sent it into the stands in left field for his fourth home run of the season. He would then add an RBI single in the next frame before finishing with a season-high four hits on the night. Raleigh has now homered in each of his last two games and has hit safely in five of his last six, drawing six walks over that stretch to only two strikeouts.