MLB Player News

Heineman went 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 12-8 loss to the Rays.

Heineman opened up the scoring for the Blue Jays with a two-run triple in the second and then added on with an RBI single in the sixth. Sunday was Heineman's second multi-hit game of the year and his first RBI of the season. For now, he's the team's backup catcher with Danny Jansen (finger) working his way back from a fractured right middle finger, but Heineman may lose his roster spot, with Jansen expressing optimism he could return for a potential postseason run.

Gallagher played in just eight games in September, going 1-for-20 (.050).

Gallagher's usage declined with Bo Naylor earning the starting role behind the dish and David Fry settling in as backup. Over 149 plate appearances this season, Gallagher slashed a terrible .126/.154/.168 with six doubles, seven RBI, six runs scored and no home runs. He's still a fine defensive catcher, but there's likely little future for him in Cleveland.

Kirk is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rays.

This was essentially a certainty after Toronto clinched a spot in the postseason, as Kirk started 10 of the prior 11 games and could really use a breather. He hit .231 with two home runs, nine runs and 10 RBI in 27 September games.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Yankees.

Perez has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with two homers and seven RBI over six games since returning from the 7-day concussion injured list. His numbers through 139 games this season have largely been in line with what he did in 114 contests in 2022. Perez is slashing .256/.294/.424 with 23 homers, 79 RBI, 59 runs scored and 21 doubles entering the final game of 2023.

Heim went 1-for-4 with a walk and three RBI in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Mariners.

Heim had a two-run single in the third inning then walked with the bases loaded in the fourth, helping the Rangers to clinch a playoff berth. Texas can clinch the division title with a win in Sunday's season finale, which means an important piece like Heim could start one more game. The catcher's rate statistics fell off following an August wrist injury, but Heim has remained productive as a run producer, delivering 25 runs over 40 games since returning from the injury. For the season, Heim has a .375 batting average, .705 slugging percentage and a 1.117 OPS with runners in scoring position.

O'Hoppe went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Athletics.

O'Hoppe had one of just three hits for the Angels in the game, giving them a short-lived 3-1 lead in the seventh inning. The catcher is up to 14 homers this season, four of which have come over his last 10 games as he finishes the year in good form. He's slashing .238/.284/.503 with 29 RBI, 22 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases over 50 contests this season.

Langeliers went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Angels.

Langeliers' power has surged in September -- he hit six of his 22 homers this season during the month despite batting a meager .194 average (14-for-72) over his last 23 games. The catcher's blast put the Athletics ahead for good Saturday. Langeliers is at a .205/.268/.413 slash line with 63 RBI, 52 runs scored, 19 doubles, four triples and three stolen bases through 135 contests in his first full major-league season.

Wells will sit Saturday against the Royals, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Wells has three homers and eight RBI across his last four games, but his slash line through his first 18 big-league contests still sits at an unimpressive .197/.229/.439. Kyle Higashioka will crouch behind the plate Saturday.

Wong will be on the bench Saturday against Baltimore, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Wong hits the bench after starting three games in a row behind the plate. Near the end of his first season as a big-league regular, the 27-year-old owns a .237/.290/.390 slash line. Reese McGuire will get the nod behind the plate.

Rutschman (illness) is starting at catcher and batting second Saturday against Boston.

Rutschman was scratched from the lineup ahead of Friday's game due to illness, but the issue seems to have subsided ahead of Saturday's contest. The 25-year-old backstop has gone 7-for-17 with a homer and four RBI over his last five games and will attempt to remain hot as the Orioles prepare for a postseason run.