MLB Player News

Heim went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday in a 7-3 victory versus the Mets.

Heim hit one of four homers for the Rangers in the contest, going deep to right field in the second inning. The long ball was his 11th of the campaign, giving him a new single-season high after he slugged 10 in 2021. Heim's homer also moved him into a tie for third place in that category among major-league backstops on the campaign.

Maldonado went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs in a 9-1 win over the Angels on Saturday.

Houston knocked five homers in the victory, with Maldonado accounting for two of them. He took Patrick Sandoval deep to left in the second inning and tagged Andrew Wantz for a 429-foot shot to center in the sixth. This was the backstop's first multi-homer game of the campaign. He's struggled with the bat overall this season, slashing .153/.219/.307 with seven homers and 18 RBI over 194 plate appearances.

Mejia went 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.

The Rays knocked Thomas Hatch around for 10 runs in the nightcap, and Mejia was right in the middle of it. Mejia had three home runs for the season coming into the game. He raised his OPS from .588 to .642 with this one performance and will continue operating as the Rays' No. 1 catcher while Mike Zunino (shoulder) is on the injured list.

Trevino isn't starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland.

Trevino started behind the dish during Saturday's matinee and went 1-for-5 with a solo home run. Kyle Higashioka is taking over at catcher and batting ninth in the second game.

Vazquez isn't starting Saturday against the Cubs, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Vazquez is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak in which he's gone 8-for-18 with two doubles, four runs and two RBI. He'll get a breather while Kevin Plawecki starts behind the dish and bats eighth.

Thaiss was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Thaiss joined the major-league club Monday but appeared in just two games during his stint with the Angels. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and will head back to the minors after the team signed Jonathan Villar to a major-league contract Saturday.

Stassi isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Astros, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi started in the last two games and went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts. Kurt Suzuki is starting behind the dish and batting seventh Saturday.

Barnhart isn't starting Saturday's game against the Royals.

Barnhart went 0-for-10 with a run, a walk and two strikeouts over the last four games. However, he's alternated starts behind the dish recently and will take a seat while Eric Haase takes over at catcher and bats cleanup.

Sanchez was added to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles, Megan Ryan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 29-year-old was scheduled to get a day off Saturday, but he'll start behind the dish and bat eighth after Ryan Jeffers (thumb) was scratched. Over the last three games, Sanchez has gone 1-for-11 with a double, a run and three strikeouts.

Jeffers was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles due to a right thumb contusion, Megan Ryan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Jeffers was initially slated to catch Saturday after exiting Friday's game with a right thumb injury, but he's still dealing with the issue. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Gary Sanchez will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.