MLB Player News

Stassi isn't starting Friday against the Mariners.

Stassi went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Thursday and will head back to the bench as he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Kurt Suzuki will start at catcher and bat cleanup.

Perez will sit Friday against the Rangers.

Perez and Austin Hedges have alternated starts behind the plate for the last eight games. Hedges will catch Eli Morgan on Friday, but Perez should return to the lineup Saturday if the pattern continues.

Maldonado will sit Friday against Oakland, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado left Wednesday's game against the Rays with a sore shoulder but started Thursday's contest. It's unclear if his absence Friday is injury-related or if he's simply been rewarded with a day off alongside several teammates after the Astros clinched the division title Thursday.

Sanchez will sit Friday against the Rays.

Sanchez hasn't started behind the plate for three straight games, though he did serve as the designated hitter Thursday, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. Kyle Higashioka remains the starting catcher Friday.

Garver will sit Friday against the Royals.

The Twins have no reason to push Garver in the final few games of the season, so he'll hit the bench here for the second time in three games. Ryan Jeffers takes over behind the plate.

Haase isn't starting Thursday's game against the Twins.

Haase will get a breather after he went 5-for-13 with a double, two runs, two RBI and three strikeouts across the last three games. Dustin Garneau will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Jansen isn't starting Thursday's game against the Yankees.

Jansen went 1-for-7 with a three-run homer and two strikeouts across his last two appearances, but he'll be on the bench for a second straight game. Alejandro Kirk will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Maldonado (shoulder) is starting Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado exited Wednesday's game due to left shoulder soreness, but he'll be back in action Thursday. He's gone hitless with five strikeouts in his last 13 at-bats but will start at catcher and bat ninth.

Vazquez isn't starting Thursday's game against the Orioles, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez has gone hitless with an RBI and a walk across his last 10 plate appearances, and he'll be out of the lineup for a second straight game. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Perez (ankle) is starting Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Perez was removed from Wednesday's game against Cleveland due to a right ankle sprain, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat third a day later. He's recorded hits in each of his last four appearances and has gone 7-for-14 with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI and five runs during that time.