MLB Player News

Kirk isn't starting Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Kirk has gone 2-for-12 with two walks in his last five appearances, and he'll retreat to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Tyler Heineman will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Vazquez isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went 2-for-3 with a run, a walk and a strikeout Tuesday against Toronto. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

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

Higashioka is sitting for the fourth time in six games and looks to have fallen behind Jose Trevino on the depth chart at catcher. The 32-year-old Higashioka could be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre whenever fellow backstop Ben Rortvedt (oblique) is cleared to return from the 10-day injured list.

Grandal is serving as the designated hitter in Wednesday's matchup against the Royals, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Grandal exited Tuesday's loss to Kansas City since he was experiencing some leg soreness after sliding into second base. Although he won't be behind the dish Wednesday, he's been cleared to remain in the lineup. The 33-year-old has gone 3-for-10 with two doubles, an RBI, two walks and three strikeouts in his last three appearance.

Pinto went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in an 8-4 loss Tuesday against the Mariners.

Pinto entered the game in the fifth inning as a defensive replacement after Mike Zunino left with a biceps strain. After striking out in his first at-bat, he homered off Matt Koch in the seventh for his first major-league hit. The 25-year-old has been in the Rays organization since 2014, compiling a .278/.334/.434 batting line across eight minor-league seasons. With Zunino leaving the game with an injury and Francisco Mejia on the COVID-19 injured list, Pinto may be in line for more playing time in the near future.

Sanchez (abdomen) could still be placed on the injured list if he doesn't feel good Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez has already been out for six days, well past the point at which the Twins could backdate any injured list move to the beginning of his absence. He's expected to try to ramp up with some light activity Wednesday, but if that doesn't go well, he'll be placed on the injured list.

Jansen (oblique) will begin hitting off a tee Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen has missed over two weeks already with a strained left oblique. He's seemingly making progress but doesn't appear to be particularly close to a return to action.

Stassi will sit Tuesday against Cleveland, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stassi hits the bench for the second time in the last three games. He's gotten off to a decent start at the plate this season, hitting .222/.333/.417 in 11 games. Kurt Suzuki will catch for Patrick Sandoval in Stassi's absence.

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

Raleigh and Tom Murphy will continue their pattern of alternating turns behind the plate, as both backstops have now drawn three starts at catcher apiece over the Mariners' last six games. The recent return of Luis Torrens from the COVID-19 injured list gives Seattle yet another option at catcher, so Raleigh could be more likely to see his playing time decrease than grow moving forward.

Jeffers (knee) will bat eighth and start behind the plate Tuesday against the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Jeffers was scratched Sunday with a bruised left knee, but he's ready to go following Monday's off day. He'll look to build on his performance over his last two games, when he went 3-for-6 with two doubles and a homers while scoring four runs.