MLB Player News

Manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday that Grandal's (knee) return is "imminent," Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

La Russa previously ruled Grandal out for the team's current road trip in Toronto, but it appears as though the catcher will be back in action in the coming days. The 32-year-old has made nine rehab appearances between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, and he's slashed .321/.394/.464 with a home run, a double, four runs and three RBI.

McGuire isn't starting Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

McGuire went 2-for-3 with a double in his last appearance, but he'll be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Alejandro Kirk will start at catcher and bat sixth.

Garver isn't starting Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Garver has split time behind the dish recently, and he'll take a seat after he went 3-for-6 with a double, a run and three walks across his last two appearances. Ryan Jeffers will start at catcher and bat seventh.

The Tigers are expected to reinstate Haase (abdomen) from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Haase went 1-for-2 with a home run and a pair of walks Tuesday in his first rehab game at Triple-A Toledo, but more importantly, he played a full nine-inning game behind the plate. The 28-year-old will serve as a designated hitter for Toledo in Wednesday's game, and if his right abdominal strain feels fine after a rest day Thursday, he'll rejoin the big club for the start of its homestand this weekend. Once Haase is activated, he should immediately displace Dustin Garneau as Detroit's No. 1 catcher.

Maldonado is not starting Tuesday against the Royals, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado will rest his legs after going 0-for-2 with a pair of walks during the series opener. Jason Castro will bat eighth and catch for starter Luis Garcia.

McGuire will be on the bench for Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

McGuire and Alejandro Kirk have alternated starts behind plate over the last six games. Kirk starts there Tuesday, but McGuire should return to the lineup Wednesday if the pattern holds.

Zavala is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Zavala has hit .214 with two home runs, five RBI and 12 strikeouts in 28 at-bats over his last 10 games. Zack Collins is catching and batting ninth Tuesday.

Heim (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Heim was scratched from the lineup Monday due to health and safety protocols, and now he has been moved off the active roster. It's still not known if the backstop has tested positive for the virus, but he'll be away from the team for at least the next few games in any scenario.

Hedges is not starting Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

Hedges went 1-for-2 with a double and a run Sunday, boosting his average to .206 with three doubles and six runs in the last 10 games. Wilson Ramos is catching and batting fifth Tuesday.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.

He'll be on the bench for the series opener while Mitch Garver checks in behind the dish, but Jeffers may have turned the Twins' catching situation into more of a timeshare. Jeffers caught in three of the Twins' previous four games and has posted an .816 OPS over 22 contests since the All-Star break.