MLB Player News

Kirk is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the Blue Jays' wild-card series with the Rays.

With Vladimir Guerrero serving as the team's designated hitter Wednesday and Danny Jansen starting behind the plate, Kirk will be squeezed out of the lineup. The rookie was the DH in Tuesday's 3-1 loss, going 1-for-3 with a base hit.

Jeffers is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Astros.

It seems the rookie backstop is atop the Twins' depth chart, as he will draw his second straight start of these playoffs. Jeffers went 0-for-2 in Game 1 before being replaced by Mitch Garver.

The Astros recalled Stubbs from their alternate training site Tuesday ahead of the team's wild-card opener against the Twins.

Stubbs will serve as Houston's third catcher during the postseason, providing depth behind Martin Maldonado and Dustin Garneau. The 27-year-old appeared in 14 games during the regular season, going 1-for-8 at the dish.

Garver is not in the lineup for the first game of the AL Wild Card Round against the Astros on Tuesday.

Garver finished the year with a very disappointing .167/.247/.264 slash line in 23 games. Ryan Jeffers will start behind the plate, catching Kenta Maeda.

McGuire will be on the Blue Jays' roster for the AL Wild Card Round against the Rays.

McGuire is likely to be little more than an insurance policy, as he'll be the third catcher behind Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk. The Blue Jays will likely be hoping he doesn't have to see the field, as he hit just .073/.073/.146 in 45 plate appearances this season.

Sanchez won't start Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

With Gerrit Cole taking the mound for the Yankees to begin the series, Kyle Higashioka will serve as his catcher as he's done during much of the regular season. However, Sanchez should be available off the bench and during the remainder of the series.

Murphy (foot) is expected back at full health next season and should operate in a timeshare with Luis Torrens (back) behind the dish, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Murphy was shut down for good in mid-September after it become evident he would not be able to return from the broken bone he suffered in his left foot during summer camp. The veteran backstop should be back to full health by the time spring training rolls around, but he isn't likely to be ticketed for the high-volume role he was projected to fill in 2020; Torrens, acquired from the Padres at the trade deadline, performed well in a limited sample with the Mariners and figures to see a solid share of playing time in his own right next season.

Maldonado is not in the lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado is on the bench for the second straight game as the Astros give him some extra rest heading into the playoffs. Dustin Garneau starts behind the plate Sunday, batting ninth.

Stassi is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Anthony Bemboom will take over behind the plate as Stassi sits for the Angels' final game of 2020. Stassi had a great showing, offensively, in 105 plate appearances around a knee injury and projects to open 2021 as the primary catcher barring any offseason additions.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Sunday against the Braves, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Vazquez went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double and four RBI in what was his final start of the season Saturday. He'll likely finish 2020 with a .283/.344/.457 slash line, seven homers and four stolen bases in 47 games. Kevin Plawecki takes over behind the plate in the season finale.