MLB Player News

Sanchez is not in the lineup Friday against the Red Sox.

Sanchez didn't start Wednesday's series finale against the Rangers -- though he did his a two-run homer as a pinch hitter -- and finds himself on the bench for the second straight contest. Kyle Higashioka will catch for Gerrit Cole in Friday's series opener.

Murphy went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Mariners.

Murphy has lost considerable playing time in the last month, with Yan Gomes taking over as the team's primary catcher. However, he started both Wednesday and Thursday's contests, collecting three hits in seven at-bats. He delivered his 17th home run of the season Thursday, and he now has three home runs across his last 13 starts. Despite his recent display of power it's been a disappointing season for Murphy, as he's managed only a .217/.306/.413 line across 431 plate appearances.

Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run Thursday against the Athletics.

Raleigh took James Kaprielian yard in the fifth inning to record the second home run of his career. He drew a start for the first time in three games, with Tom Murphy remaining the team's primary catcher. Across the first 138 plate appearances of his MLB career, Raleigh is hitting .177.217/.308 while striking out at a 36.2 percent clip.

Stassi is not in the lineup Thursday against the Astros.

Stassi has started each of the Angels' last two games, during which he's collected one hit and one walk across eight plate appearances. Kurt Suzuki will take over behind the dish and hit seventh in Stassi's place.

Kirk is out of the lineup again Thursday.

The catcher will sit for the second consecutive contest. Over his last 11 games, Kirk has batted .094 with only one home run and two RBI in 32 at-bats. Danny Jansen will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Hedges went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Game 2 of Thursday doubleheader against the White Sox.

Hedges took Reynaldo Lopez deep with a 367-foot shot in the first game of the twin bill to chase the right-hander. The 29-year-old backstop is now facing limited playing time due to a split role with Roberto Perez, who recently returned from the injured list. Across 83 games, Hedges is batting .176/.218/.300 with nine long balls.

Murphy will sit Thursday against Oakland.

Murphy has settled in as the Mariners' primary catcher down the stretch and owns a .294/.375/.471 slash line over his last 12 games. He'll sit here after starting three straight games behind the plate, with Cal Raleigh set to catch Yusei Kikuchi.

Perez isn't starting the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Perez has gone 3-for-7 with a homer, two RBI and two strikeouts across his last two appearances, but he'll be out of the lineup for a second straight game. Austin Hedges will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Sanchez launched a pinch-hit two-run homer in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.

The catcher was sent to the plate with two outs in the eighth inning and took reliever Spencer Patton deep, driving in teammate Gio Urshela. It was his 23rd home run of the season and second in three contests. Sanchez has batted .191 with five homers and 11 RBI this month.

Maldonado is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado started the past four games and will receive a day off after going 5-for-13 with two homers, three walks, four RBI and three runs during that stretch. Jason Castro will catch Wednesday for right-hander Luis Garcia.