MLB Player News

Higashioka will hit the bench against the Red Sox on Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old started the Yankees' previous two games with Austin Romine getting a break, but he'll hit the bench for the club's opener against the Red Sox. He went 1-for-5 with an RBI in those two games after getting called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and figures to see a part-time role filling in on off-days for Romine while Gary Sanchez (calf) is on the injured list.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox shuffled their catcher situation Tuesday, designating Blake Swihart for assignment and selecting Sandy Leon's contract. It remains to be seen how Vazquez and Leon will split time moving forward. Leon gets the call Tuesday, catching Chris Sale.

Narvaez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a loss to the Indians on Monday.

Narvaez got the Mariners tantalizingly close in the eighth, launching the second homer of the frame to cut Seattle's deficit down to one run. Although the comeback ultimately fell short, the veteran backstop's work at the plate provided reason for optimism once again. Narvaez has now hit safely in six of his last eight games, a sample that includes one pinch-hit appearance.

Garver is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Garver recorded multiple hits in three consecutive starts but couldn't keep the streak going when he received the leadoff assignment in Monday's 5-3 loss. He went 0-for-4 while striking out twice and now finds himself back on the bench with Jason Castro stepping in behind the dish. The Twins place a premium on the defensive value Castro provides, but Garver should continue to garner at least a couple starts per week thanks to the vast upgrade he provides with the bat in addition to the strides he's made as a game caller since 2018.

Leon's contract was purchased by the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Leon lost the backup catcher job to Blake Swihart this spring, but the Red Sox have already changed plans in an attempt to help their struggling pitching staff. Leon could start right away, as he's Tuesday's starter Chris Sale's preferred backstop.

Rortvedt is hitting .321 with a home run and a .977 OPS through eight games at High-A Fort Myers.

The 21-year-old 2016 second-round draft pick is a bit old for his level, but he could be a player to watch given Minnesota's lack of catching prospects in the minors. Rortvedt hit just .260 with five home runs and a .745 OPS between Low-A and High-A last season. However, he's show a good eye at the plate with a 10.7 walk rate and a 14.8 percent strikeout rate last season.

Garver started at catcher and batted leadoff in Monday's loss to Toronto. He went 0-for-4 after starting the season 11-for-19 with three home runs in his previous six games.

Garver became just the third catcher in Twins history to bat leadoff and the first since Butch Wynegar on Aug. 23, 1980. Garver's hot start at the plate looks set to win him more playing time. However, his move to the leadoff role likely says less about him as a hitter and more about how manager Rocco Baldelli will likely disregard traditional notions about the leadoff role and batting order.

Vazquez will start at second base and will hit ninth Monday against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Vazquez had initially been listed as the Red Sox's starting backstop, but manager Alex Cora must have had second thoughts about using the 28-year-old behind the dish for a fourth straight day in a game set to begin at 11:05 a.m. EDT. Rather than getting a rest day in the series finale, Vazquez will surprisingly be used as the starter at the keystone, even with utility infielder Eduardo Nunez available for the contest. Vazquez logged two innings at third base in 2017 and 2018 but otherwise hasn't seen any action in the infield during his time in the majors. His last appearance at second base in affiliated ball came in 2010, when he was playing at Low-A.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Indians.

Maldonado will head to the bench after producing just one hit in 19 at-bats over his last seven games. Though he's sitting on a measly .532 OPS for the season, Maldonado isn't in danger of losing his spot atop the depth chart, thanks to his elite defense.

Garver will start at catcher and bat seventh Sunday against the Tigers, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

While Jason Castro's status as the Twins' top defender behind the plate allowed him to enter the season atop the depth chart, Garver's impressive performance at the dish has made it hard for manager Rocco Baldelli to justify keeping Garver on the bench. Garver will draw his third start in four games Sunday after going a combined 6-for-9 with three home runs, three RBI and five runs over his previous two outings.