MLB Player News

Higashioka went 3-for-5 with two homers and three runs in Sunday's 18-4 win over the Cubs.

Higashioka didn't homer in any of his first 34 games of the season, but he homered in the third and eighth innings during Sunday's rout. The 32-year-old has alternated starts behind the dish recently and has hit .200 with two homers, four runs and two RBI over seven games since the start of June.

Bethancourt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a stolen base and a strikeout in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians.

Bethancourt started in every matchup during the Athletics' four-game series against Cleveland, and he went 9-for-17 with three homers, two doubles, five runs and five RBI over those four games. The 30-year-old had inconsistent playing time in late May and early June, but the Athletics will likely try to find ways to keep him in the lineup as long as he's swinging a hot bat.

Stassi will sit Sunday against the Mets, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Stassi hasn't started more than three consecutive games at any point this season. He was in the lineup for each of the Angels' last three contests, so it's not a surprise to see Kurt Suzuki take over behind the plate Sunday.

Vazquez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Mariners.

Vazquez is hitting .167 with zero home runs and one steal in nine games this month. Kevin Plawecki is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth.

Raleigh will be on the bench Sunday against the Red Sox.

The Mariners didn't have a clear starting catcher for the early part of the season, but Raleigh has a firm grip on the role now. His off day Sunday follows five straight starts. Luis Torrens will take over behind the plate.

Zavala's contract was selected from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

Yasmani Grandal (hamstring) has not been placed on the injured list, but he is also unavailable in the short term, so Zavala will serve as the backup catcher. Reese McGuire figures to get the bulk of the starts while Grandal is out.

Trevino is out with back tightness Sunday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

He was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Cubs. Trevino apparently played through the issue Saturday and the team hopes to get him a couple days off as the Yankees have an off day Monday before starting a series against the Rays.

Sanchez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rays.

Sanchez is hitting .125 with one home run and nine strikeouts in nine games this month. Luis Arraez is in at designated hitter while Ryan Jeffers starts behind the dish.

Maldonado is not in Sunday's lineup against the Marlins.

Maldonado is hitting .259 with one home run and eight strikeouts in eight games this month. Jason Castro is starting behind the dish and hitting eighth.

Trevino was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Cubs.

This may just be a case of a catcher getting the day game off after Trevino started Saturday night's contest. Kyle Higashioka will start behind the dish and hit eighth.