MLB Player News

Kirk went 3-for-3 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Nationals.

Kirk opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-out, two-run double before adding a third RBI with a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The 24-year-old Kirk has gone 6-for-11 with four doubles in his last three games following a 4-for-31 (.129) stretch in his previous 10 contests. While Danny Jansen had been getting the majority of starts behind the plate recently, Kirk could regain some playing time with his hot bat. He's now batting .255 with six homers, 33 RBI, 25 runs scored and a .686 OPS across 331 plate appearances this season.

Perez was scratched from the lineup Wednesday versus the Pirates due to back/neck tightness.

Nelson Velazquez will move into the DH role as Dairon Blanco enters the lineup to cover right field. Freddy Fermin is doing the catching for the Royals, as originally planned. Perez can be considered day-to-day.

Higashioka is out of the lineup Wednesday at Detroit.

Higashioka slugged a solo home run in the Yankees' defeat of the Tigers on Tuesday, but he'll take a seat Wednesday as Ben Rortvedt handles the catching duties for New York. Higashioka had made three straight starts behind the plate.

Rogers (hand) will start at catcher and bat ninth Wednesday versus the Yankees in his return to the lineup, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Rogers has dealt with a minor hand issue recently, though he had been available off the bench the past two days. He will catch for starting pitcher Brendan White in Wednesday's contest while Carson Kelly retreats to the bench.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Diaz will head to the bench after starting in the first two games of the series in Boston and going 1-for-8 with two walks, two runs and an RBI. He'll have a more crowded path to playing time moving forward after the Astros activated Michael Brantley from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, but manager Dusty Baker will likely look to find ways to keep Diaz's bat in the lineup so long as the rookie remains productive. Diaz has compiled a .917 OPS over 36 games since the All-Star break.

Langeliers is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Mariners, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It's a day game after a night game, so the Athletics' starting catcher will get a breather. Carlos Perez will be behind the plate Wednesday.

Higashioka went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday in a 4-2 win against the Tigers.

HIgashioka accounted for New York's second run of the contest with his fifth-inning solo homer. The long ball was the second in three games for the backstop and his third over his past seven contests, though all have been solo shots. With Ben Rortvedt slashing a measly .122/.246/.265 on the campaign, Higashioka has settled into the primary catcher role for the Yankees, starting each of the team's past three games.

Jeffers will start at catcher and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Despite going 0-for-9 with six strikeouts in his last two starts, Jeffers will be behind the dish for the fourth time in six contests as the Twins close out their series with the Guardians. Jeffers owns a .965 OPS since the All-Star break and looks to be the Twins' preferred option at catcher over Christian Vazquez for the moment.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

The Twins' catching timeshare has tilted in favor of Ryan Jeffers of late, leaving less playing time available for Vazquez. The 33-year-old will be on the bench Wednesday for the fourth time in the last six games.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Toronto and Washington are wrapping up their series with a day game after a night game, so Jansen will rest after catching all nine innings of Tuesday's 5-4 win. Alejandro Kirk will spell Jansen behind the dish Wednesday.