MLB Player News

Garver went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Twins.

Garver's home run was his third in his last four games, though they've all been solo shots and he has just one additional hit in that span. The 32-year-old is up to 12 home runs, 35 RBI, 27 runs scored and 10 doubles while slashing .278/.361/.515 through 57 contests this season. With Jonah Heim slumping since returning from a wrist injury, Garver could push for more time behind the dish -- he played there Saturday for the first time since Sunday. In any case, Garver's power production should at least keep him as the Rangers' top option for designated-hitter duties.

Heim remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Twins.

Heim has gone just 2-for-24 at the plate since returning from a strained left wrist tendon. He now finds himself sitting for the second straight game, though whether that's an indication of a setback or merely an attempt to help him straighten things out is unclear. Mitch Garver will start behind the plate in his absence.

Maldonado will not start Saturday against the Tigers.

Maldonado finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games. Yainer Diaz will take over behind the plate.

Bethancourt will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Bethancourt's share of the playing time behind the plate hasn't meaningfully changed with the shift from Francisco Mejia to Rene Pinto as the team's second catcher. Bethancourt and Pinto have each started eight of the team's last 16 games.

Kirk will sit Saturday against the Guardians.

Kirk finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games, with Danny Jansen starting behind the plate. Kirk's disappointing .247/.328/.338 slash line means he hasn't had the opportunity to pad his playing time with starts at designated hitter in recent weeks. He last started at that position back on Aug. 4.

Langeliers went 0-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run in a win over the White Sox on Friday.

Fresh off a two-homer night Thursday, Langeliers' offensive performance Friday was much more muted. However, the 25-year-old was able to make good use of his one trip on the basepaths, and he's now reached safely in six straight games while hitting a solid .286 and slugging four homers overall during that span.

Naylor went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The rookie catcher made history when he drove a Chris Bassitt sinker down the right-field line and over the fence in the third inning, becoming the first Canadian-born player in big-league history to homer in his first at-bat north of the border, per Julia Kreuz of MLB.com. Naylor might be finding his footing in the majors after largely struggling at the plate since his promotion in mid-June -- the 23-year-old has six hits, including three doubles and Friday's homer, over his last four starts.

Raleigh went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 7-5 win over the Royals.

Raleigh has a pair of three-hit efforts over his last four games. The catcher has hit just .222 (18-for-81) in August, but he's popped eight home runs and driven in 20 runs over those 22 contests. Overall, he's at a .229/.304/.468 slash line with 24 homers, 63 RBI, 61 runs scored and 20 doubles over 113 contests.

Murphy (thumb) is expected to be cleared to increase the intensity of his baseball activities this week, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Murphy has been sidelined since mid-August with a left thumb sprain but seems to have made a rapid recovery. It's not clear at this point whether he will require a rehab assignment before rejoining the Mariners.

Heim is not in the lineup Friday against the Twins.

Heim has gone 2-for-24 (.083) with zero extra-base hits and eight strikeouts since returning Aug. 13 from a three-week absence to heal a tendon strain in his left wrist. Austin Hedges will get a rare start at catcher Friday as Mitch Garver serves as the Rangers' designated hitter.