MLB Player News

Kirk is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

After starting each of the past eight games as either a catcher or designated hitter, Kirk will effectively get two days of rest while he sits Wednesday and with the Blue Jays off the schedule Thursday. Danny Jansen will handle catching duties in the series finale while George Springer serves as Toronto's designated hitter.

Hedges is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Luke Maile will get a turn behind the plate after Hedges struck out twice in three plate appearances in Tuesday's 6-5 loss in 11 innings. Over his last 11 games, Hedges has gone hitless in 29 at-bats to drop his season-long average to .167.

Bethancourt will start at catcher and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Now behind the plate for the Rays' third consecutive matchup versus a right-handed pitcher, Bethancourt appears to have overtaken Francisco Mejia as manager Kevin Cash's preferred option at catcher. Bethancourt is slashing .310/.310/.552 with three home runs, five doubles, seven runs and six RBI through 18 games in September.

Mejia isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Guardians.

Mejia has lost out on playing time recently and will be out of the lineup for the fourth time in the last five games. Christian Bethancourt is starting behind the plate and batting seventh.

Higashioka went 3-for-4 with a double and scored two runs in Tuesday's 5-2 victory versus the Blue Jays.

Higashioka scored New York's first run after leading off the third inning with a single, and he crossed the plate again in the sixth following a one-out double. The backstop continues to rank behind Jose Trevino on the depth chart, but Higashioka has taken advantage of his opportunities of late, going 6-for-13 with two doubles, three runs and four RBI over his past four contests. He's slashing .214/.252/.362 over 228 plate appearances on the season.

Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said O'Hoppe will be called up from Triple-A Salt Lake and is in line to start at catcher in Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Los Angeles will open up a spot on the 40-man roster for the catching prospect by designating outfielder Magneuris Sierra for assignment. Since being acquired Aug. 2 in the deal that sent outfielder Brandon Marsh to Philadelphia, O'Hoppe has slashed .306/.473/.673 with 11 home runs in 29 games between Salt Lake and Double-A Rocket City. The Angels could give him a look as their primary catcher over the final week of the season, given the lack of production the team has received at the position from Matt Thaiss and Max Stassi of late.

Rutschman went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 13-9 loss to the Red Sox.

Rutschman and Anthony Santander went back-to-back in the third inning to give the Orioles a short-lived lead. Rutschman is up to 13 homers on the season, five of which have come in 25 games in September. The rookie catcher has added a solid .255/.359/.448 slash line with 41 RBI, 67 runs scored, four stolen bases, 32 doubles and a triple through 106 contests.

Raleigh (thumb) is starting behind the plate and batting fifth Tuesday against the Rangers.

The 25-year-old exited Sunday's game due to his lingering thumb injury, but he's back in the lineup after Seattle had a scheduled day off Monday. Raleigh is 4-for-13 with two doubles, two home runs and six RBI over his past four contests, and it appears he'll continue to play through the injury down the stretch.

Heim isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's contest in Seattle.

Heim boasts an impressive .838 OPS against left-handed pitching this season, but he will get a day off against southpaw Robbie Ray. Sam Huff will take his spot behind the plate and bat sixth.

Perez was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

He may serve as the backup catcher for the rest of the season, as Seby Zavala was placed on the concussion injured list. Perez hit .254/.316/.450 with 21 home runs in 109 games at Triple-A.