MLB Player News

Jeffers (knee) is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

A left knee contusion forced the 24-year-old's exit from Sunday's contest against Detroit. It's unclear whether Jeffers is still dealing with the knee injury, or if he's just scheduled to catch the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader. Ben Rortvedt is batting eight and catching the afternoon game.

Haase is starting in left field and batting third in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins.

The Tigers continue to prefer Jake Rogers as the primary catcher, but Haase is still working his way into the lineup on a regular basis. It helps that he's supplied 13 home runs through 44 games so far. The team designated Nomar Mazara for assignment coming out of the break, so there should be even more playing time available in the outfield for Haase, and he'll also work in behind the plate when Rogers needs a break.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and three strikeouts in a 5-4 loss to Oakland on Friday.

Perez got Cleveland on the board with his fifth-inning solo shot off Oakland starter Sean Manaea but failed to do anything productive in his other three at-bats. The backstop has now gone deep in each of his last three games and is slashing an improved .261/.261/.696 in six July games.

Gallagher (shoulder) was activated off the injured list Friday.

Gallagher wound up missing a month with a right shoulder impingement. He'll return to his role as Salvador Perez's backup behind the plate, though that's not a role that comes with much playing time -- Perez has started 70 games at catcher this season, tied for second most in the league. Sebastian Rivero was optioned in a corresponding move.

Trevino (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Friday.

The backstop has been on the injured list since late June with a right forearm contusion that he suffered slipping in the bathroom. He'll DH in his first appearance with Frisco on Friday, which indicates that he'll need at least another game or two to work behind the plate in the minors before being activated. Manager Chris Woodward previously said that the club is considering rostering three catchers when Trevino is ready to return, which means that the 28-year-old could be in line for somewhat of a reduced role.

Higashioka tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Higashioka was placed in the COVID-19 protocols Thursday while awaiting the test results, and he's one of six Yankees who have tested positive for the virus. He'll be sidelined for at least the next 10 days. The Yankees will need to add another catcher to the roster to serve as the backup to Gary Sanchez behind the plate.

Garver (groin) is 4-for-11 with two walks in three games for Triple-A St. Paul during a rehab assignment.

It's not clear when Garver will be activated from the injured list, but he could return at some point in the next week. Garver has been out since the start of June due to a groin injury that required surgery.

Grullon was traded to White Sox from the Rays on Thursday for cash considerations, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Grullon has been a member of several organizations this season, including the Reds, Rays and Mets. He'll now land with the White Sox, who are in need of organizational depth at the position with Yasmani Grandal (knee) set to miss at least a few more weeks. Grullon has not logged a major-league plate appearance this season and is hitting .194/.282/.456 across 117 plate appearances at Triple-A.

Higashioka has been placed in the league's COVID-19 protocols while he awaits a confirmation of a positive test for the virus, Buster Olney of ESPN

Higashioka is one of three Yankees who reportedly received a positive test for COVID-19, but the Yankees are awaiting a second test to make sure that the initial result isn't a false positive. If his positive test is confirmed, the catcher will be away from the team at least 10 days.

Soderstrom is hitting .315/.400/.575 with 10 homers, two steals, 43 RBI and 36 runs across 50 games for Low-A Stockton.

The No. 26 overall pick from last year's draft, Soderstrom is just 19 years old -- two years younger than the average player in the Low-A West league -- but he's already showing an impressively advanced approach at the plate in his first pro season. He's drawing walks at a 10.9 percent clip, has kept the strikeouts low enough (23.5 percent) and is hitting the ball to all fields with authority. Soderstrom made a great impression in major-league spring training this year, and he seems poised to rocket through the organization -- particularly if the A's elect to move him off the catcher position, which would be a boon to his fantasy value while accelerating his timeline. They haven't said anything about doing so just yet, but Soderstrom's prospect profile isn't all that different from the likes of Bryce Harper and Wil Myers, who were both catchers at the outset of their careers. Accordingly, it may not be long until Soderstrom is routinely mentioned among the top few prospects in the game.