MLB Player News

Murphy will sit Saturday against the Rangers.

Murphy and Jonah Heim have alternated turns behind the plate over the last six games. Heim takes his turn in this one, though Murphy should return Sunday if the pattern continues.

Huff went 0-for-3 with a walk in Friday's 10-6 loss to the Athletics.

Huff made his MLB debut Friday and it was immediately a busy night for the rookie. Game opener Luis Garcia walked the first three batters before ceding a grand slam, and primary pitcher Jordan Lyles gave up another four runs over the next two innings. The Rangers need Huff with Jose Trevino (wrist) on the injured list and plan to use him regularly as long as Trevino is sidelined. With a doubleheader scheduled Saturday, he should be in the lineup for at least one of those games.

Murphy went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk during Friday's 10-6 victory over the Rangers.

Murphy has seemingly been seeing the ball well lately, recording a .500 OBP with six walks over his last seven games and hitting three home runs over his last five games. Murphy represents the strong side of a platoon, hitting .273 versus righties and just .105 versus lefties this season.

Jeffers went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a 3-1 win over the Indians on Friday.

Jeffers provided some insurance after taking Shane Bieber deep with two outs in the seventh inning to extend the Twins' lead to 3-0. The rookie has homered in two of his last three games but could see a decrease in playing time shortly as Mitch Garver (side) may be activated from the injured list during in the next week.

Garver (right intercostal strain) has been getting at-bats and working behind the plate at Minnesota's alternative training site, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Garver may be available at some point during next week's road trip, the Minneapolis Star Tribune adds.

Garver has been on the injured list since Aug. 19 and only recently started resuming baseball activities, so a return next week may be too optimistic. Still, it sounds like he has a chance to return before the end of the season and be ready for the playoffs.

Bemboom went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Rockies.

Bemboom's ninth-inning blast off Rockies closer Daniel Bard gave the Angels a short-lived 4-3 lead. The 30-year-old Bemboom now has two homers, three RBI and eight runs scored across 46 plate appearances this season.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during a 6-0 win over the Orioles in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

He took Alex Cobb deep in the second inning, giving Higashioka his first long ball and first RBI of the season. The 30-year-old has seen an uptick in playing time due to Gary Sanchez's struggles, starting five of the last 12 games, but as yet Higashioka hasn't been able to consistently take advantage of his opportunities.

Kirk's contract was selected by the Blue Jays on Friday.

Kirk is an interesting prospect, with an above-average arm and the potential to hit for high average, though he's making quite the jump, as he's yet to play above High-A. He produced a strong .288/.395/.446 slash line with more walks than strikeouts in 71 games at that level last season, though a significant regression should be expected given that he's skipping two levels. The Blue Jays have gotten very little at the plate from their catchers this season, however, with Danny Jansen producing a .603 OPS and Reese McGuire posting a .220 OPS, so he won't have to look all that good to earn playing time.

Stassi is not in the lineup Friday against Colorado.

Stassi went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and a walk Thursday and will take a seat for Friday's contest. Anthony Bemboom will start behind the plate in the series opener.

Plawecki (hand) is batting fifth as the designated hitter Friday at Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 29-year-old had X-rays on his right hand come back negative after being hit by a pitch last weekend, and he'll return to action against the Rays. Plawecki has a .354/.404/.500 slash line with one homer, four doubles and 11 RBI in 52 plate appearances this season.