Maldonado is not in the lineup Thursday against the Angels.

Yainer Diaz will catch for Ronel Blanco and bat ninth as the Astros open a four-game series versus the Halos. Maldonado is slashing just .203/.290/.309 in 140 plate appearances this year, though Diaz hasn't been much better.

Rutschman went 4-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 12-8 loss to the Guardians.

Rutschman posted three multi-hit efforts over his last five games in May, going 10-for-18 (.556) with three RBI and five runs scored in that span. He opened and closed the month with four-hit games, though there were some valleys in between those impressive peaks. The catcher is up to a .289/.411/.443 slash line with eight home runs, 28 RBI, 29 runs scored and seven doubles through 55 contests, and he should be in the lineup on a near-everyday basis.

Perez went 0-for-3 with an RBI groundout in a loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Making only his third start since May 21 for a resting Shea Langeliers, Perez was able to contribute one of two Athletics runs on the afternoon with his sixth-inning grounder. The veteran backstop has made relatively good use of his intermittent opportunities, producing a career-best .268/.337/.402 slash line over 92 plate appearances. With fellow veteran Manny Pina (wrist) on the 60-day injured list and out indefinitely, Perez's role as Langeliers' occasional fill-in appears secure.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Kirk had started the last three contests but will sit out Thursday with it being a day game after a night game. Tyler Heineman will catch for Kevin Gausman.

Garver (knee) started at catcher and went 1-for-2 with two walks for Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

The Express played a doubleheader Wednesday, so games were only seven innings. Garver caught all seven innings of the afternoon affair, and it's unclear if the Rangers feel that's enough for him to be activated. Garver, who's made 25 plate appearances in six rehab games, played on consecutive days, including nine innings as a DH on Tuesday. Texas is off Thursday, so the organization may give the catcher/DH one more day in the minors before activating him ahead of Friday's series starter against Seattle.

Diaz went 1-for-2 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Twins.

Diaz entered the game in the eighth inning with Houston down eight runs and slugged his second career home run. He continues to get only sporadic playing time behind Martin Maldonado behind the plate, as he's tallied 68 plate appearances despite sticking in the majors for the entire season.

Langeliers is not in the starting lineup Wednesday versus Atlanta, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Langeliers will get a breather after he went 4-for-13 with a double, three RBI and a run scored while starting the last four games. Carlos Perez will draw the start at catcher and bat fifth as the Athletics go for the sweep over Atlanta.

Murphy went 1-for-1 with a double and a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees before being ejected for arguing a strike call in the sixth inning.

The veteran backstop was upset about a check-swing that was called a strike and was tossed for yelling at the first base umpire. Murphy has logged 66 plate appearances across 21 games while ceding the bulk of playing time behind the dish to Cal Raleigh, and Tuesday marked the third time in his last four starts that he'd reached safely.

Haase is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Haase will get a breather in the day game after a night game, paving the way for Jake Rogers to pick up a turn behind the plate. While catching or starting in left field in each of the Tigers' last four contests, Haase went 1-for-14 with two walks, a stolen base and two RBI.

Garver (knee) served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with a walk for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

This was the first time during his rehab that Garver has played a full game, albeit as a DH. Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Garver would play another two or three games while on rehab this week, per Matthew Postins of SI.com, citing a report in the Dallas Morning News. The club would like to see him play a nine-inning game, presumably in the field, before activating him. Garver's activation is lining up for when the Rangers return from a road trip to open a weekend series against Seattle on Friday.