MLB Player News

Rutschman (triceps) will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and is expected to be reinstated from the affiliate's 7-day injured list, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Even though he reported to spring training as the leading candidate to break camp as the Orioles' No. 1 catcher, Rutschman began the season on Norfolk's injured list since he doesn't yet have a spot on Baltimore's 40-man roster. Since returning to action in the lower levels of the minors following a five-week absence due to a right triceps strain, Rutschman has looked healthy and productive. Between stops at High-A Aberdeen and Bowie, Rutschman has gone 11-for-25 with five doubles and four walks. Rutschman's stay at Norfolk will likely last longer than his stints with Bowie and Aberdeen, but if he continues to rake at the plate, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft could get the call to the big leagues later in May or June.

Mejia was activated off the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia has been out for just shy of two weeks after testing positive for coronavirus. Prior to his absence, he'd been splitting time behind the plate with Mike Zunino, starting six of the team's first 13 games, and he'd gotten off to a hot start, hitting .348 with a pair of homers. He should return to a similar role now that he's healthy, with Rene Pinto heading to Triple-A Durham to clear space on the roster.

Plawecki will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Angels, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

A heavy slate of day games after night games has allowed Plawecki to claim more playing time of late, as he'll handle catching duties for the third time in five games while No. 1 backstop Christian Vazquez sits. Plawecki has done little to move the needle across his 26 plate appearances on the season, slashing .174/.200/.174 with an RBI and a run.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox and Angels are concluding their series with a day game, so Vazquez will receive a routine breather after he went 0-for-3 with a walk while serving as Boston's catcher in Wednesday's 10-5 loss. Kevin Plawecki will relieve Vazquez behind the dish Thursday.

Huff went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI for Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

After a brief callup to the majors, Huff has shown off his power stroke with three home runs over the two games since he returned to the Express. The home run potential is what draws attention to Huff, and the 24-year-old is slashing .258/.329/.561 with a .890 OPS, six home runs and 14 RBIs in 17 games at Triple-A.

Stassi went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs in the win over the Red Sox on Wednesday.

The catcher homered off Garrett Whitlock in the top of the fifth inning, driving in Jared Walsh in the process. Stassi later scored on a Taylor Ward long ball in the 10th frame. The 31-year-old is now up to three homers on the year, adding eight RBI and 10 runs scored over 55 at-bats. He's also working on a six-game hitting streak, always an added bonus when a catcher can give you that type of production.

Pinto was optioned to Triple-A Durham after Wednesday's 3-0 win over the A's, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pinto appeared in five games since being recalled from Durham on April 22, and he went 3-for-15 with a home run and two RBI. Francisco Mejia (illness) is expected to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday and resume his role as Tampa Bay's No. 2 catcher.

Kirk isn't starting Wednesday against the Yankees.

Kirk started in the last four games and went 3-for-13 with a double, a run, a walk and three strikeouts. Tyler Heineman will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Jeffers started the past two days behind the dish, so he'll be getting some routine maintenance Wednesday while Gary Sanchez picks up a start at catcher. Thanks to the injuries to Miguel Sano (knee), Alex Kirilloff (wrist) and Kyle Garlick (calf), the Twins have been able to find more opportunities to keep Jeffers and Sanchez in the lineup simultaneously, with Sanchez often picking up starts as the designated hitter.

Mejia (illness) is scheduled to rejoin the Rays in Seattle for their upcoming four-game series, and he's expected to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list either Thursday or Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After clearing all COVID-19-related protocols over the weekend, Mejia reported to the Rays' spring facility in Port Charlotte, Fla. to appear in a pair of simulated games. Mejia has apparently looked good since resuming baseball activities, but the Rays will see how he's feeling Thursday before deciding whether to activate him for the start of the series or to give him an extra day of rest. Whenever he's formally reinstated, Mejia will replace Rene Pinto as the No. 2 option behind top catcher Mike Zunino.