MLB Player News
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Christian Bethancourt C | CHC
Rays' Christian Bethancourt: Out of lineup Wednesday
Bethancourt is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale versus the Nationals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Bethancourt will head to the bench as he continues to split time with Francisco Mejia this season. Mejia will take over behind the plate and bat ninth against lefty Patrick Corbin.
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Jacob Stallings C | BAL
Marlins' Jacob Stallings: Gets breather Wednesday
Stallings is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
After starting behind the plate in each of the Marlins' last three contests, Stallings will get a breather as Miami concludes its season-opening homestand with an afternoon game. Nick Fortes will catch for starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo in the series finale.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Sits again Wednesday
McGuire is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Even with the Pirates bringing a right-hander (Mitch Keller) to the hill for the series finale, the lefty-hitting McGuire will find himself on the bench for the third time in four games while the righty-hitting Connor Wong gets another turn behind the dish. McGuire remains atop the depth chart at catcher for now, but he may be Option 1A rather than a clear-cut starter or even a strong-side platoon option at the position.
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Tyler Heineman C | LAA
Pirates' Tyler Heineman: Makes first start
Heineman went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored Tuesday against the Red Sox.
Heineman was called up Tuesday after Austin Hedges (concussion) was placed on the injured list, and he immediately drew a start behind the plate while hitting ninth. He had a key sequence to provide Pittsburgh with an insurance run during the seventh inning, as he reached base on a single, stole second base and then came around to score. Heineman managed just a .544 OPS across 174 plate appearances in the majors in 2022, so his ability to provide ongoing production is questionable at best.
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Yan Gomes C | CHC
Cubs' Yan Gomes: Sitting Wednesday
Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Gomes and Tucker Barnhart will continue their rotation at catcher, with the two having now alternated turns behind the dish through the first six games of the campaign. Over his first three starts and four total appearances, Gomes has produced just one hit in 13 at-bats.
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Christian Vazquez C | HOU
Twins' Christian Vazquez: Resting for day game
Vazquez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Vazquez is getting some routine maintenance while the Twins conclude their series in Miami with a day game after a night game. Ryan Jeffers will draw the start at catcher in place of Vazquez, who will most likely be back behind the dish for Thursday's series opener with the Astros.
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Matt Thaiss C | BOS
Angels' Matt Thaiss: Behind plate Tuesday
Thaiss is hitting eighth and behind the plate Tuesday against the Mariners.
Thaiss gets the start behind the plate with Logan O'Hoppe getting the day off for Tuesday's contest. In 29 games last year, Thaiss registered a .640 OPS in 81 plate appearances.
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Shea Langeliers C | ATH
Athletics' Shea Langeliers: Out of lineup Tuesday
Langeliers isn't in Oakland's lineup Tuesday against the Guardians.
After starting 3-for-15 at the plate through Oakland's first four games, Langeliers will get the day off Tuesday. Carlos Perez will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.
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Edgar Quero C | CHW
Angels' Edgar Quero: Pushed aggressively
Quero is set to open the season with Double-A Rocket City, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
This is surprising, even for the aggressive Angels, as Quero, who turns 20 this week, has never played above Single-A and his defense behind the plate is widely panned by scouts. Granted, Rocket City is the team's preferred developmental hub over Tri-City (too pitcher-friendly) and Salt Lake (too hitter-friendly). If Quero handles the aggressive assignment offensively, he could possibly be fast-tracked as a first baseman.