MLB Player News

Maldonado was placed on the injured list Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado was one of five Astros who were placed on the injured list without an injury designation, so it appears as though the players are out due to COVID-19-related protocols. It's not yet clear whether Maldonado has tested positive for the virus. If the 34-year-old isn't dealing with a positive test result, he'll be eligible to return as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols. Jason Castro should serve as the team's primary catcher in Maldonado's absence, while the Astros also recalled Garrett Stubbs in a corresponding move.

Trevino isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Trevino had gone 5-for-11 with a double, one run, one walk and three strikeouts while starting in each of the past three games. However, Jonah Heim will serve as the starting catcher Wednesday, batting seventh.

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

With the Blue Jays and Yankees wrapping up their series with a day game, Jansen will be getting a breather after catching all nine innings of Toronto's 7-3 win Tuesday. Alejandro Kirk will form a battery with T.J. Zeuch in the series finale.

Garver isn't starting Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Boston, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Garver will retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games after he went hitless with a walk and a strikeout in four at-bats Tuesday. Ryan Jeffers will serve as the starting catcher for the first game of Wednesday's twin bill.

Vazquez isn't in the lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Twins on Wednesday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez has gone just 2-for-14 with a run, one RBI and three strikeouts in the past three contests. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish and bat ninth for the first game of Wednesday's twin bill.

Gallagher will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday against the Angels.

Kansas City is wrapping up its series with the Angels with a day game after a night game, so Gallagher will check in behind the dish for the first time all season in place of No. 1 catcher Salvador Perez. The Royals will still keep Perez's bat in the lineup as a designated hitter Wednesday, and he'll likely continue to shoulder one of the heavier workloads in baseball among catchers. As a result, Gallagher likely won't have the opportunity to play more than once a week when Perez is healthy.

Murphy went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

He took John Means deep in the second inning for his first homer of the year. Murphy has had a sluggish start to the year, ceding playing time to Luis Torrens in the process, but he appears to be turning things around at the plate a bit, as he's 4-for-13 over his last four games.

Maldonado agreed to a one-year contract extension with Houston on Tuesday that includes a vesting option for 2023, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado is a defensive stalwart and brings excellent makeup to the clubhouse, which is good, because he doesn't bring much to the table as a hitter. The 34-year-old backstop has a career .217/.291/.352 slash line, and 2020 is the lone year in his career that he hit better than league average (110 wRC+).

Bemboom was recalled prior to Tuesday's game in Kansas City.

Max Stassi (sprained thumb) hit the 10-day injured list, so Bemboom is coming up to serve as the No. 2 catcher in the short term while Kurt Suzuki moves atop the depth chart.

Stassi was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left thumb sprain.

X-rays on his thumb came back negative Monday, but Tuesday's MRI revealed a sprain. Anthony Bemboom was recalled to serve as the second catcher while Kurt Suzuki steps into the primary role.