MLB Player News
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Francisco Mejia C | TB
Rays' Francisco Mejia: Sitting in series opener
Mejia is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Mejia was behind the plate for four of the Rays' last five games, so he's likely just getting a maintenance day Tuesday. Rene Pinto will catch for starting pitcher Shane Baz in the series opener with Milwaukee.
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Adley Rutschman C | BAL
Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Swats third homer
Rutschman went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Monday's 9-2 win against the Mariners.
Rutschman got the scoring started for Baltimore in the contest, plating a run with a first-inning single. He also kicked off a homer barrage against Seattle starter George Kirby, launching a solo shot in the third frame that was the first of four long balls the team hit over the third and fourth innings. Rutschman has collected at least one hit in nine of his past 10 games and is slashing .351/.385/.784 with three homers, seven doubles and nine RBI over that span.
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Cal Raleigh C | SEA
Mariners' Cal Raleigh: Belts 10th homer
Raleigh went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to the Orioles.
Baltimore starter Tyler Wells had a perfect game going for 4.2 innings Monday before Raleigh broke it up with his solo shot to right field. The homer was his 10th of the season, which is tied for second most among American League catchers. Raleigh's .199 average and 30.3 percent strikeout rate aren't ideal, but he's gained fantasy relevance thanks to his power stroke.
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Yasmani Grandal C | PIT
White Sox's Yasmani Grandal: Resumes swinging
Grandal (back) is taking swings off a tee but has yet to start running, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Grandal still has no timetable as he is experiencing at least some discomfort in his back. He'll likely be able to begin a rehab assignment shortly after he is cleared to run, but it remains unclear when that may occur. As a result, Grandal's absence could stretch into mid-July.
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Luke Maile C | KC
Guardians' Luke Maile: Takes over as No. 1 catcher
Maile is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Twins.
Though Sandy Leon will be behind the plate for the front end of the twin bill, Maile looks poised to operate as Cleveland's No. 1 catcher this week after Austin Hedges (concussion) was placed on the 7-day injured list Tuesday. Maile had already started both of the Guardians' last two games, going hitless in both contests.
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Sandy Leon C | ATL
Guardians' Sandy Leon: Traded to Cleveland
Leon was sent from the Reds to the Guardians on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Leon will make the short trip across Ohio to play for the team he hit .136/.296/.242 for in 25 games in 2020. He's yet to appear in a major-league game this season, though that will change Tuesday, as he'll bat eighth and start behind the plate in the first half of the doubleheader against the Twins.
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Austin Hedges C | CLE
Guardians' Austin Hedges: Goes on concussion IL
The Guardians placed Hedges on the 7-day concussion injured list Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
The head injury likely explains why Hedges was withheld from the lineup for back-to-back games Sunday and Monday, even though he's operated as the Guardians' No. 1 backstop throughout the season. Cleveland acquired Sandy Leon from Cincinnati on Tuesday to add some depth behind the plate while Hedges is sidelined, but Luke Maile will likely serve as the Guardians' primary backstop in the short term.
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Ryan Jeffers C | MIN
Twins' Ryan Jeffers: Rests for front end of twin bill
Jeffers is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader in Cleveland.
Gary Sanchez will get the nod behind the plate for the early game, setting Jeffers up to catch for rookie starting pitcher Josh Winder in the nightcap. Jeffers went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Monday in the Twins' 11-1 win in the series opener.
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Gary Sanchez C | MIL
Twins' Gary Sanchez: Swats ninth homer
Sanchez went 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in Monday's 11-1 rout of the Guardians.
He got the Twins rolling with a three-run shot off Triston McKenzie in the second inning. Sanchez hasn't managed to turn things around in his first season with Minnesota -- in fact, his 6.5 percent walk rate would be the worst mark of his career -- but he can still punish mistakes. Through 58 games this season, he's slashing .227/.289/.436 with nine homers and 34 RBI.
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Mitch Garver DH | SEA
Rangers' Mitch Garver: Bops homer in win
Garver went 2-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Monday's 10-4 win over the Royals.
The home run comes one day after Garver acknowledged the need for surgery to address a right forearm injury that has prevented him from catching since early May. Since then, he's served as the DH and batted .211. The Rangers mentioned having surgery during the season, which would wipe out the rest of 2022. That decision should come no later than the All-Star break. Jonah Heim has served as the primary catcher since early May and should continue to do so going forward.