MLB Player News

Murphy went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Rangers.

Murphy went yard off Kohei Arihara to give the Athletics a 3-0 lead in the third inning. It's been a productive August for Murphy -- he's batting .304 (14-for-46) with two homers and eight RBI in 13 games. The catcher is up to a .246/.324/.429 slash line, 14 long balls, 49 RBI, 48 runs scored, one stolen base and 26 doubles through 106 contests. With top prospect Shea Langeliers joining the Athletics on Tuesday, Murphy could see a slight reduction in playing time, though it's expected he'll still regularly serve as the designated hitter when he's not behind the plate.

Langeliers went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and three strikeouts in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Athletics.

Langeliers was able to get a few milestones checked off in his big-league debut, including his first hit and first run. Despite three strikeouts Tuesday, the 24-year-old shouldn't struggle in a major way with contact -- he struck out at a 21.9 percent clip while slashing .283/.366/.510 with 19 home runs, 56 RBI, 62 runs scored and five stolen bases with Triple-A Las Vegas prior to his call-up. The catching prospect is a solid defender and should get a long audition for an everyday role, sharing time with current No. 1 catcher Sean Murphy behind the dish and at designated hitter for the remainder of the season.

Bethancourt went 0-for-3 with a stolen base in a 3-1 win Tuesday against the Yankees.

Bethancourt reached on an error in the fourth and stole second base. It was his fifth steal in six attempts this season. Since joining the Rays in July, he's posted a .176/.192/.255 line with one homer in 16 games. Thirteen of his 14 starts for Tampa Bay have come behind the plate.

Plawecki is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game at Pittsburgh, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Plawecki is 3-for-29 through nine games in August and will head to the bench Tuesday for the second time in Boston's past three contests. Reese McGuire will work behind the plate and form a battery with Nick Pivetta.

Raleigh is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels.

Raleigh went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Monday and will take a seat Tuesday for the second time in the past three games. Curt Casali will receive another look behind the plate for Seattle.

Mejia is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia will get a breather after he went 5-for-11 with a double and an RBI while starting behind the plate in each of the past three games. Christian Bethancourt will catch for starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs on Tuesday.

Sanchez is not starting Tuesday's game against the Royals.

Sandy Leon will catch while Sanchez, slashing .308/.379/.423 in eight games this month, rests. Sanchez has started roughly half of Minnesota's games lately and that trend figures to continue.

Haase is not in the lineup Tuesday in Cleveland, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Haase went 0-for-2 with a walk Monday and has gone 7-for-35 since the beginning of August. Tucker Barnhart will handle catching duties Tuesday.

Jansen is on the bench Tuesday versus the Orioles.

Alejandro Kirk is catching Tuesday and George Springer is the designated hitter-a situation that may make it harder for Jansen to find playing time moving forward. Since hitting a pair of home runs July 22, Jansen has hit .100 with no extra-base hits and five RBI.

The Athletics selected Langeliers' contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Just one week ago, general manager David Forst suggested that Langeliers was on track to receive a promotion to the big leagues before season's end, and now Oakland has made the move official. Regarded as a solid defender behind the plate, Langeliers should be part of a timeshare at catcher and designated hitter with Sean Murphy that will allow both players to handle near-everyday roles. Prior to getting promoted, Langeliers was in the midst of a big offensive season at Las Vegas, slashing .283/.366/.510 with 19 home runs and five stolen bases across 402 plate appearances. The 24-year-old looks worthy of a flier in just about any league, even in shallower formats that start just one catcher.