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James McCann C | ARI
Orioles' James McCann: Takes part in running work
McCann (oblique) was spotted running the bases Monday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
McCann remains on the 10-day injured list, but the fact that he traveled with the Orioles to Arlington for the team's three-game series with the Rangers is a sign that he's tracking toward a brief stint on the shelf. Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com noted Sunday that McCann has already been cleared for full baseball activities, so the catcher may even have a chance at being activated when first eligible Thursday if the Orioles don't think he requires a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand.
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Kyle Higashioka C | TEX
Yankees' Kyle Higashioka: Swats first homer
Higashioka went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday in a 6-0 win against the Giants.
Higashioka saw action for the first time this season Sunday while Jose Trevino got a breather. The backup backstop took advantage of the opportunity, belting a solo shot to left field in the fourth inning. Higashioka has shown moderate power by hitting 10 homers each of the past two seasons, but he's firmly behind Trevino on the Yankees' catcher depth chart for the time being.
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Cal Raleigh C | SEA
Mariners' Cal Raleigh: Riding pine Monday
Raleigh is absent from the Mariners' lineup for Monday's game versus the Angels.
The Angels are throwing southpaw Reid Detmers, so Raleigh will take a seat while Tom Murphy starts. Raleigh has been on the bench for two of the last three games, although he did pinch-hit in the first contest he didn't start.
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Christian Bethancourt C | PIT
Rays' Christian Bethancourt: Sitting Monday
Bethancourt is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia have alternated turns behind the dish for each of the Rays' first four games of the season, with the latter catcher getting the starting nod Monday. Expect a relatively equitable timeshare between the two backstops to remain in place while both are healthy and producing at a similar level.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Braves' Travis d'Arnaud: Making fourth straight start
D'Arnaud is starting at catcher and batting cleanup for Atlanta's game Monday versus the Cardinals.
D'Arnaud is doubling up Sean Murphy in regard to playing time in the early going, making two starts at catcher and two at designated hitter while Murphy has started just twice behind the plate. It's a playing time breakdown not likely to continue, as manager Brian Snitker seemingly is just riding d'Arnaud while he's off to a 6-for-13 start.
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Yan Gomes C | CHC
Cubs' Yan Gomes: Idle Monday
Gomes is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.
Gomes and Tucker Barnhart have now alternated turns behind the plate across the Cubs' first four games, and a roughly even timeshare between the two could remain in place until one separates himself from the other from a performance standpoint.
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Sean Murphy C | ATL
Braves' Sean Murphy: Absent from Monday's lineup
Murphy is not in Atlanta's lineup for Monday's game in St. Louis.
Murphy has now started just two of his team's first four games, while Travis d'Arnaud has started all four (two at designated hitter). D'Arnaud is off to a 6-for-13 start and Murphy is hitless in eight plate appearances, so manager Brian Snitker seems to be just riding the hot hand here.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Sitting in second straight
McGuire is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.
McGuire was on the bench for Sunday's series finale with the Orioles in what was believed to be a routine maintenance day, but he'll end up taking a seat for the second straight contest as Boston opens a six-game week. Connor Wong will get another turn behind the dish Monday, though McGuire still appears to be viewed as the team's top backstop.
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Salvador Perez DH | KC
Royals' Salvador Perez: Getting breather Monday
Perez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.
MJ Melendez will catch as Perez gets his first day off of the season. Perez is 4-for-11 with a pair of doubles in the early going.