MLB Player News

Rutschman went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a sacrifice fly and a walk in Friday's 10-3 win over the Rays.

Rutschman got the scoring started in the first inning with his solo shot, which was his first long ball since July 16. He'd gone seven games without an extra-base hit entering Friday, but he's still been solid by going 10-for-32 (.313) with a 13:4 BB:K through 10 games in August. The catcher is slashing .251/.365/.439 with six homers, 21 RBI, 42 runs scored, two stolen bases, 22 doubles and a triple through 65 contests overall.

Sanchez will sit Friday against the Angels, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez has a .794 OPS with one homer in six games so far this August. Sandy Leon will get the start behind the plate in his absence.

Jansen isn't starting Friday against the Guardians.

Jansen is out of the lineup for a second consecutive game after he went 2-for-10 with an RBI, two walks and two strikeouts over his last four matchups. Alejandro Kirk will start behind the plate and bat third.

Moreno hasn't played at Triple-A Buffalo since Aug. 5 due to right thumb soreness, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Although Moreno hasn't been able to participate in games over the last week, he's been cleared to resume a hitting progression. The 22-year-old hasn't been placed on the injured list, so he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Mejia is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia will get a day off after he went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers. Christian Bethancourt will take over at catcher and bat seventh in the series opener.

Maldonado went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Thursday against the Rangers.

Maldonado went yard in the second inning to open the scoring for Houston. He now has 12 homers on the season, four of which have come in his last 18 games. Despite Houston's acquisition of Christian Vazquez, Maldonado has started seven out of the 10 games since the trade deadline, but even with his relatively strong recent stretch he's still slashing only .187/.252/.370 across 285 plate appearances on the season.

Grandal went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run Thursday against the Royals.

Grandal took Jose Cuas yard in the eighth inning to tally his third homer of the season. It was his first long ball since May 16, and he has only four extra-base hits -- including Thursday's effort -- across 123 at-bats in that span. That has led to a disappointing .204/.300/.265 line for Grandal across 263 plate appearances on the season.

Casali (oblique) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Casali was dealt to the Mariners at the trade deadline but has yet to make his debut with the team. Cal Raleigh is likely to remain the top catcher for Seattle, though Casali will get plate appearances as the backup after Luis Torrens was designated for assignment. Across 126 plate appearances on the season, Casali is hitting .231/325/.370 with four home runs and 14 RBI.

Vazquez is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Rangers.

Vazquez will be on the bench for a second straight game. He has gone 2-for-12 with no extra-base hits since joining the Astros at the beginning of the month. Martin Maldonado will start behind the plate and bat ninth versus Texas.

Hedges will sit Thursday versus the Tigers.

Hedges will get a breather after he went 1-for-7 with an RBI in the first two games of the series. Luke Maile will take over at catcher and bat eighth in the series finale.