MLB Player News

Higashioka went 2-for-5 with a solo homer, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 16-0 win over the Pirates.

Higashioka homered in the seventh inning, bringing New York's lead to 5-0. He came around to score in the next inning on Aaron Judge's grand slam, then knocked in Josh Donaldson for the final score of the game in the ninth inning. This was the catcher's second appearance in July. He picked up his first hits since June 21. Higashioka raised his batting average 10 points thanks to the two-hit performance, taking it to .174 on the year.

Barnhart went 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Guardians.

Barnhart has seen Eric Haase get more playing time lately, as the latter has five home runs over his last 12 games. Barnhart hasn't helped his cause with a .154 batting average over his past 10 contests, but he does now have hits in three straight games. The veteran should still see plenty of playing time due to his abilities behind the plate, though Haase will continue to draw starts due to his power potential.

Trevino isn't starting Wednesday against Pittsburgh.

Trevino is getting a chance to reset after he went 0-for-7 with two strikeouts over the last two matchups. Kyle Higashioka will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Plawecki is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Plawecki will stick on the bench for the 14th time in 16 games and continues to see little usage, even by the standards of No. 2 catchers. So long as top backstop Christian Vazquez remains healthy, he'll shoulder a heavy workload behind the plate.

Murphy isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Murphy started in the last six games and hit .318 with a homer, a double, four RBI and three runs during that time. Stephen Vogt will take his place at catcher and bat fifth Wednesday.

McGuire is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Even after producing a season-high-tying three hits in his four plate appearances during Tuesday's 8-2 loss, McGuire will take a seat for the day game after a night game. He's now been benched four times in five games, as Seby Zavala has seemingly overtaken McGuire as Chicago's preferred option behind the plate.

Maile is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Maile and Sandy Leon have now alternated turns behind the plate for seven straight contests, and the two are expected to work in a timeshare at catcher until No. 1 backstop Austin Hedges (concussion) is ready to return from the 7-day injured list. In Tuesday's 11-4 loss, Maile went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

Sanchez will sit Wednesday versus the White Sox.

Sanchez will get a day off after he went 1-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's win. Luis Arraez will slide into the designated hitter spot while Jose Miranda enters the lineup at first base and is set to bat seventh against the White Sox.

Garver went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 10-9 extra-inning loss to the Orioles.

Garver was one of three Texas hitters to slug a home run over the final third of the game. His seventh-inning blast tied the game briefly. It was his second homer in as many games. Since the Rangers mentioned possible surgery on his damaged right forearm, Garver is raking with a .320/.370/.720 slash, three home runs, six RBI and six runs scored over seven contests. Surgery seems inevitable, but when it happens might be determined by how the team performs. If postseason prospects are real AND Garver maintains an impact bat, then it could be put off until the offseason. If neither of those scenarios are present in the second half of the season, it makes sense to have the surgery earlier and have Garver available for the start of 2023.

Haase went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run home run and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Guardians.

Haase took Cleveland starter Cal Quantrill deep in the fourth inning with a runner on for his seventh home run of the season. He's gone deep in consecutive contests and has five home runs over his last 12 games. Tucker Barnhart is still the presumptive starter at catcher in Detroit, but the Tigers will likely keep Haase in the lineup while he's in the midst of this power surge.