MLB Player News

Murphy isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Murphy had started each of the last three games, and he went 1-for-9 with two runs, an RBI and a walk. Cal Raleigh will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Mejia will start at catcher and bat ninth Wednesday against the Astros.

With the Rays having secured the best record in the American League, manager Kevin Cash is expected to rest several regulars over the final week of the season, including No. 1 catcher Mike Zunino. As a result of Zunino getting more frequent days off of late, Mejia has picked up more work. He'll pick up his fourth start in six games after going 4-for-10 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and two runs in his previous three starts.

Perez isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Perez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout Tuesday, but he'll head back to the bench as he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Austin Hedges will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Stassi isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Stassi went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a strikeout in Tuesday's series opener, but he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Kurt Suzuki will start behind the dish and bat cleanup.

Sanchez isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Sanchez started each of the last three games and went 2-for-11 with a run, a walk and five strikeouts. Kyle Higashioka will take his place behind the dish and bat ninth.

Heim isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Heim went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI on Tuesday, but he'll head to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Jose Trevino will start at catcher and bat sixth.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Though he'll be on the bench Wednesday, Jansen caught both of the Blue Jays' previous two games and appears to have at least temporarily inched ahead of Alejandro Kirk. Neither Jansen nor Kirk will be behind the plate Wednesday, however, as manager Charlie Montoyo wants to give No. 3 backstop Reese McGuire another opportunity to catch for starting pitcher Jose Berrios after the two worked well together in Berrios' last start.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Kirk will take a seat for the third game in a row while he remains in the midst of a cold stretch at the plate. Since his two-homer game against the Yankees on Sept. 7, Kirk is hitting .105 and reaching base at a .227 clip over a stretch of 14 contests. Kirk doesn't provide much value when he's not wielding a hot bat, so he looks like he could finish the season as the No. 2 option at catcher behind the more defensive-minded Danny Jansen.

Vazquez isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Vazquez started each of the last two games and went 0-for-5 with an RBI. Kevin Plawecki (foot) will return to the lineup at catcher and bat seventh.

Plawecki (foot) will start at catcher and bat seventh Wednesday against the Orioles.

Plawecki was hurting coming out of his last start Saturday against the Yankees after being struck in the foot by a pitch, but after three full days to rest up, he looks to be no worse for the wear. Christian Vazquez remains locked in as Boston's No. 1 catcher, but Plawecki has been the superior performer of the two since the All-Star break with an .813 OPS over 35 games.