MLB Player News

Heim is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Angels.

Heim, who also sat Monday, continues to be eased back into action following his return Sunday from a nearly three-week absence to heal a strained left wrist tendon. Mitch Garver will start at catcher for the Rangers on Wednesday as Robbie Grossman occupies the DH role.

Seattle placed Murphy on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left thumb sprain.

The injury comes with awful timing for Murphy, who has been playing more regularly in recent weeks and boasts a .355/.393/.697 batting line over his last 24 games (85 plate appearances) dating back to June 12. Brian O'Keefe was called up from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move to back up Cal Raleigh at catcher.

Soderstrom is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Even after going 1-for-4 in Tuesday's 6-2 win, Soderstrom is still sitting on a .160 batting average through his first 83 plate appearances in the big leagues. Even though the 21-year-old has struggled with the jump from Triple-A Las Vegas to the majors, the Athletics don't yet seem ready to pull the plug on Soderstrom as a near-everyday player at either designated hitter, catcher or first base. He had started each of the last five games and 10 of the previous 11 contests.

Jansen is out of the lineup again Wednesday against the Phillies.

Alejandro Kirk will get a second straight start at catcher despite going 0-for-4 versus the Phillies on Tuesday. Jansen suffered a right hand contusion last Thursday but returned to action Sunday. It's possible he's still battling some discomfort.

Naylor is out of the lineup Wednesday at Cincinnati.

Cam Gallagher will start at catcher and bat ninth with left-hander Andrew Abbott readying to toe the slab for the Reds. Naylor has slashed .222/.263/.278 in only 19 plate appearances versus southpaws this year.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Jeffers will hit the bench after he went 4-for-21 with four walks while starting each of the last six games at either catcher or designated hitter. Though Jeffers appears to have at least temporarily emerged as the Twins' top backstop, Christian Vazquez will get the nod behind the plate for the series finale.

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

Haase had started in three of the last four games -- two at catcher and one in left field -- but he'll head to the bench Wednesday as Jake Rogers and Akil Baddoo step in at those respective positions. The Tigers still appear to view Haase primarily as a catcher, and Rogers should remain the team's preferred option behind the plate given Haase's season-long struggles. Among the 275 players in the majors with at least 250 plate appearances this season, Haase ranks 274th with a 44 wRC+.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Tuesday against the Marlins.

Diaz drew the start behind the dish for the third time in Houston's last six games. He has earned that increase in playing time at the plate, as he's maintained a .299 batting average with six homers, 20 RBI and 12 runs scored across 77 at-bats since the All-Star break. Diaz has also gotten sporadic looks at designated hitter, even since the return of Yordan Alvarez.

O'Hoppe (shoulder) had his minor-league rehab assignment moved from Single-A Inland Empire to Triple-A Salt Lake City on Tuesday.

O'Hoppe kicked off his rehab stint last week and played six games at Single-A, slashing .316/.409/.474 with three doubles, three RBI, four runs and a 3:5 BB:K. The rookie catcher hasn't seen action for the Angels since tearing the labrum in his left shoulder in a game against the Yankees on April 20. Due to the long layoff, O'Hoppe is expected to need 1-to-2 more weeks before he's ready to be activated. When he returns, he should regain his role as the primary catcher for the Angels, as both Matt Thaiss and Chad Wallach have struggled in his stead.

Higashioka is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta.

Higashioka has a .683 OPS through nine games in August and will begin Tuesday's contest in the dugout. Ben Rortvedt will step in behind the plate to catch for Luis Severino.