MLB Player News

Stubbs was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Stubbs joined the Astros when Jason Castro landed on the injured list with a knee injury in late August. He received just 12 at-bats during his latest stint with the big club, tallying two hits, one walk and one RBI while striking out three times. With Castro being activated Friday, Stubbs returns to Sugar Land and likely won't make his way back to the majors this season unless Houston suffers another injury to its usual catching duo.

Murphy is not starting Friday against the Royals.

The backstop will return to the bench for the second time in three games after going 1-for-4 with a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Red Sox. Cal Raleigh will work behind the plate and bat ninth.

Maldonado is not starting Friday against Arizona, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll get a breather after walking and scoring twice during Thursday's win over Texas. Jason Castro (knee), who was activated from the injured list Friday, will catch Brandon Bielak and bat ninth.

Kirk is out of the lineup Friday against the Twins.

Kirk is 3-for-23 in his past six games and will head to the bench Friday. Danny Jansen will take over behind the plate for the Blue Jays.

Sanchez is not in the lineup Friday against Cleveland.

Sanchez is mired in a 2-for-25 slump and will take a seat in Friday's series opener. Kyle Higashioka will work behind the plate in his place for New York.

Heim is not starting Friday against the White Sox.

Heim has seen a relatively even split in the catching duties with Jose Trevino in recent weeks, but he'll now sit for the fourth time in five games. Trevino gets the nod Friday and will bat eighth against right-hander Dylan Cease.

Garver (back) is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The catcher should require at least a few games of rehab, considering the fact he's been sidelined with a back strain since Aug. 24. The injury came at a bad time for Garver, who hit .303 with three doubles and a home run in his last 10 games. He figures to take the roster spot of backup catcher Ben Rortvedt once activated.

Perez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 7-2 loss to Oakland.

Perez served as the DH for Thursday's matinee and supplied the only runs on the day for the Royals, taking Oakland starter Paul Blackburn deep in the first inning. It was the 45th homer of the season for Perez, moving him into a tie with Vladimir Guerrero for the major-league lead. Perez has gone yard in three consecutive games, going 6-for-13 at the plate during that stretch. He's hitting .300/.348/.650 with seven homers and 18 RBI since the start of September.

Heim isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Houston.

Heim went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's matchup and will head to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Yohel Pozo will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Gomes isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Gomes has gone 1-for-12 with a homer, three runs and two walks across his last four appearances. Sean Murphy will start behind the plate and bat seventh.