MLB Player News

Diaz (wrist) took swings Thursday and has resumed playing catch pain-free, the Associated Press reports.

Diaz sounds like he could soon be ready to head out on what should be a brief minor-league rehab assignment. The Rockies' top catcher has been out since Aug. 12 with a left wrist sprain, which has allowed Brian Serven to temporarily take over as the team's No. 1 backstop.

Jansen isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Jansen has alternated starts behind the dish recently and went 1-for-3 with a run, a walk and a strikeout Wednesday against Baltimore . Alejandro Kirk will start at catcher while George Springer serves as the designated hitter Thursday.

Mejia isn't starting Thursday against the Royals, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Mejia is in the midst of a six-game hit streak in which he's slashed .391/.440/.565 with four doubles, four RBI and three runs. However, he'll get a breather Thursday while Christian Bethancourt starts behind the plate and bats seventh.

Delay is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Delay started behind the plate in four of the Pirates' last five games, but he could see his opportunities take a hit now that Tyler Heineman -- who will start at catcher Thursday -- is back from a brief stint on the injured list. Before missing time with a right groin strain, the switch-hitting Heineman had occupied the larger side of a platoon with the righty-hitting Delay, who has done his best work against southpaws (111 wRC+ in 42 plate appearances).

McGuire will start at catcher and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

McGuire is drawing his third consecutive start and appears to have leapfrogged Kevin Plawecki on the depth chart at catcher. Regarded as a solid defender and pitch framer, McGuire has added to his value by producing an .847 OPS in his first eight games with Boston since coming over in a deadline deal with the White Sox. Once his bat predictably cools down, McGuire could fall back into more of a timeshare with Plawecki.

Plawecki is out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

Plawecki will sit for the third game in a row, and for the time being, he looks to be Boston's clear No. 2 catcher behind Reese McGuire. The deadline deal that sent Christian Vazquez to Houston was expected to open up more opportunities for Plawecki, but McGuire -- who was acquired from the White Sox on Aug. 2 -- has performed better than expected with the bat and has at least temporarily earned the No. 1 role.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Contreras extended his hitting streak to nine games in Atlanta's 9-7 loss Wednesday, when he singled three times and scored two runs. He's holding down a robust .808 OPS in August, but because he frequently catches in addition to logging starts at designated hitter, he'll still be subject to more days off than the rest of Atlanta's regulars. Travis d'Arnaud is behind the plate for the series finale, while Eddie Rosario gets a turn at DH.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Even after Houston dealt for an established everyday catcher in Christian Vazquez ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, Maldonado has remained the Astros' No. 1 backstop. Though Vazquez is behind the dish Thursday, Maldonado has dominated the playing time, catching in four of the previous five contests. Aside from popping the occasional home run, Maldonado's fantasy utility is limited, but his defensive acumen and chemistry with the pitching staff should continue to earn him ample opportunities for Houston.

Zavala will start at catcher and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Astros.

Though Zavala is nominally the White Sox's No. 2 catcher, Yasmani Grandal's underwhelming production has allowed Zavala to pick up more playing time than anticipated. With Grandal resting for the series finale, Zavala will catch for the third time in five games. For the season, the 28-year-old backstop owns a .287/.331/.410 slash line over 135 plate appearances.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

Grandal will be getting a breather after he started each of the past three games -- two at catcher and one as a designated hitter -- while going 2-for-9 with two walks. Though Grandal remains the White Sox's top option behind the plate, his grip on the No. 1 role has loosened while he's submitted a disappointing .565 OPS over 283 plate appearances on the season in addition to missing time due to injury. Seby Zavala will catch for starting pitcher Lucas Giolito on Thursday.