MLB Player News

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Higashioka has taken over as the Yankees' No. 1 catcher since Gary Sanchez (illness) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Aug. 5, starting six of the past seven contests while going 4-for-24 with a home run, two doubles, five RBI and three runs. He'll just be getting a breather due to the quick turnaround for the series finale, with opening pitch set for 2:10 p.m. ET. Rob Brantly will catch for starting pitcher Lucas Luetge on Wednesday.

Zavala isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Zavala has gone just 1-for-10 with five strikeouts across the last three games, and Zack Collins will take his place behind the dish and bat ninth Wednesday. Yasmani Grandal (knee) was assigned to Double-A Birmingham to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, so Zavala's time as the White Sox's primary catcher is running out.

Grandal (knee) was sent to Double-A Birmingham on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Grandal tested his knee by running the bases over the weekend, and he's been cleared to return to game action with the team's minor-league affiliate. The 32-year-old has been on the injured list since early July due to a left knee procedure, but he'll begin the final step in his recovery process and will reclaim the primary role behind the dish once he's reinstated from the 10-day IL.

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

Garver will get a breather for the day game after he played all nine innings behind the dish in Tuesday's 4-3 win while going 1-for-3 with a walk. Ryan Jeffers will catch for starting pitcher Bailey Ober in the series finale.

Perez went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Yankees.

The All-Star catcher took Yankees starter Nestor Cortes deep for a two-run shot in the first inning, then tagged him for a solo blast in the sixth. The multi-homer game was Perez's fourth of the campaign and first since June 11. He leads major-league catchers and ranks fourth among all players with 29 long balls this season.

Higashioka went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's loss to the Royals.

It was largely a frustrating game for the backstop, as he struck out twice and committed two errors. However, Higashioka came through with a fourth-inning, two-run blast that temporarily gave the Yankees a lead. The long ball was Higashioka's first since June 22. He has a career-high seven homers on the season but is slashing a paltry .185/.261/.411.

Grandal (knee) is close to beginning a rehab assignment, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 32-year-old resumed running the bases over the weekend, and he's about the enter the final stages of his rehab program. Grandal has been sidelined since early July due to a torn tendon in his left knee that required surgery, so he should require a handful of games in the minors during the rehab stint. Seby Zavala has taken over primary catching duties in his absence while Zack Collins continues to work in a secondary role.

Stassi is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.

Stassi went 1-for-4 in Game 1, and it's not a surprise he won't be starting both ends of the twin bill. Kurt Suzuki will start behind the plate in the nightcap for Los Angeles.

McGuire is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Angels.

McGuire started the matinee and went 0-for-1 with a pair of walks, and it's no surprise he won't be starting both games of the twin bill. Alejandro Kirk will work behind the plate in the nightcap.

Raleigh is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

After a 1-for-4 performance Sunday, Raleigh is now hitting .182 with two doubles and six RBI in his last 10 games. Tom Murphy is catching and batting eighth Tuesday.