MLB Player News

Kirk went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Friday's 4-0 win over the Yankees.

The 23-year-old backstop slumped coming out of his first All-Star Game appearance, but Kirk appears to be finding his groove again. Over his last 10 games, he's batting .351 (13-for-37) with two doubles, two runs and five RBI, and as the rest of the Toronto offense heats up again too, Kirk's overall production should rise as well.

Ruiz went 2-for-2 with two walks, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Padres.

Ruiz got aboard four times, which included his third multi-hit effort in August. Through 18 games this month, he's gone 13-for-55 (.236) with four extra-base hits. The catcher lifted his slash line back up to .246/.311/.354 through 97 contests, and he's added six steals, six home runs, 32 RBI and 28 runs scored this year in a starting role.

Rutschman went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, two RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 15-10 win over the Red Sox.

Rutshman belted a two-run shot in the fourth inning, his eighth homer of the year and third in the last seven games. The star rookie bumped his slash line up to .255/.364/.457 with 47 runs scored and 33 extra-base hits through 71 career games. He's gone 17-for-56 (.304) with 16 walks and 11 strikeouts this month.

Hedges was removed from Friday's game against the White Sox with a sprained right ankle, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Hedges walked in his lone plate appearance before exiting the game with the injury. Luke Maile replaced him behind the plate, and top prospect Bo Naylor could be in line for a promotion should Hedges be forced to miss any time.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Texas.

The Twins have alternated starters behind the plate for each of the past 10 games, and that trend will continue Friday after Sanchez went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run during Wednesday's series finale versus the Royals. Sandy Leon will form a battery with Dylan Bundy and bat ninth.

Stassi isn't starting Friday against the Tigers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi is in the midst of a slump in which he's gone 0-for-18 with two walks and eight strikeouts over his last five games. He'll be on the bench for a second consecutive matchup while Kurt Suzuki starts behind the plate and bats ninth.

McCann isn't starting Friday against the Phillies.

McCann started the last two games and went 1-for-7 with a double and two strikeouts. Michael Perez will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Contreras will sit Friday versus the Astros.

Contreras will take a seat for a second straight game Friday as the team starts a three-game series with the Astros. Robbie Grossman will take over at designated hitter and bat ninth in the series opener.

Heineman is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Reds.

Heineman will get a breather after he went 1-for-4 in Thursday's win over the Red Sox, his first game back from a groin injury that had landed him on the 10-day injured list. Jason Delay will start at catcher and bat ninth versus Cincinnati.

Trevino is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.

Trevino will get a breather after he went 3-for-11 with two runs scored while starting the last three games. Kyle Higashioka will replace him behind the plate and bat ninth versus Toronto.