MLB Player News

Maldonado isn't starting Saturday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado will get a breather after he went 1-for-10 with a double, one run and six strikeouts in the last four games. Jason Castro will start behind the plate Saturday, batting ninth.

Vazquez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Mariners, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez had started each of the last six games and went 4-for-22 with two runs, two walks and three strikeouts during that time. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish Saturday, batting ninth.

Garver isn't starting Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Garver will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went hitless with four strikeouts in his last seven at-bats. Ryan Jeffers will start behind the plate Saturday, batting ninth.

Huff (hamstring) underwent surgery to have a loose body removed from his knee and will be sidelined about eight weeks, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old landed on the injured list with a hamstring injury to open the season, though he was also apparently battling a knee issue. It's expected to be about eight weeks before Huff will be cleared to hit in games, but his ability to handle a heavy workload behind the plate this season is currently up in the air.

Higashioka went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a solo home run and two runs scored Thursday against Cleveland.

Higashioka drew the start in the opening game of the team's series against Cleveland and played a big role in the victory. He began the third inning with a leadoff double and later came around to score. Five frames later, he provided an insurance run with a solo homer -- his third long ball of the campaign. Higashioka figures to draw backup reps at catcher, but he's taken advantage of his opportunities to hit .353/.376/1.000 across 21 plate appearances this season. While that's not sustainable, it could force the Yankees to consider giving him more playing time.

Stassi (thumb) is traveling with the Angels on their current road trip and could be close to returning to action, Taylor Blake Ward of Locked on Angels reports.

Stassi is eligible to come off the injured list Friday, and it looks like he may not be far from a return. The veteran backstop hasn't played since April 12, when he left a game against the Royals with left thumb irritation. Kurt Suzuki has been filling in as the primary catcher for the Angels in Stassi's stead.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Cleveland, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Kyle Higashioka will form a battery with Domingo German while Sanchez takes a seat for the series opener. Sanchez was behind the dish for both of the Yankees' games against Atlanta earlier in the week, going 0-for-7 between the contests to drop his season average to .200.

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

Kirk was included in the lineup in each of the past four games, making two starts at designated hitter and two at catcher. Cavan Biggio's three-game absence due to a hand injury helped Kirk pick up some extra playing time, but the 22-year-old's path to an everyday role will ultimately hinge on the Blue Jays' comfort with him behind the dish. The Blue Jays' No. 1 catcher, Danny Jansen, is slashing .065/.147/.097 through 34 plate appearances this season, making it increasingly difficult for Toronto to trot him out on a regular basis.

Garver is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Garver will rest for the series finale after he played in both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader loss, making one start at catcher and one start at first base. Ryan Jeffers will check in for Garver behind the plate, while Willians Astudillo picks up a start at first.

Maldonado and the Astros agreed Wednesday on a one-year, $5 million contract extension, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. According to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, the deal includes a $4 million team option or a $500,000 buyout for 2023, with option vesting to $5 million if Maldonado plays at least 90 games in 2022.

Though he only recently began the second season of the two-year, $7 million deal he signed in the 2019-20 offseason, Maldonado has made a strong enough of an impression as a game caller and defender behind the plate during his time in Houston for the club to give him some extra security. The 34-year-old has been less dependable on the offensive end -- he's gone 3-for-34 with 17 strikeouts to begin 2021 -- but the Astros are able to live with his shortcomings in that area if he can continue to coax good results out of the team's pitching staff.