MLB Player News

Basallo (abdomen) is starting behind home plate and batting fifth against the Blue Jays on Sunday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Basallo was out of Saturday's lineup due to abdominal discomfort but entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter. He's been cleared to serve as the Orioles' catcher for Sunday's series finale while Adley Rutschman operates as the designated hitter.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 in Saturday's 6-0 loss to the Guardians.

Higashioka made a fourth consecutive start behind the plate and figures to continue seeing an uptick in playing time after the Rangers placed Danny Jansen (forearm) on the 10-day injury list. Jansen leads the Rangers with 36 starts behind the plate, but Higashioka (.245) has hit for a better batting average than Jansen (.171).

Jensen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Twins.

Jensen accounted for most of the Royals' offensive production, blasting a leadoff homer in the first inning before adding a sacrifice fly in the ninth frame. Despite Saturday's productive moments, he's hitting .087 (2-for-23) with 10 strikeouts across six games in June. It has been a lackluster campaign thus far for the 22-year-old, as he's slashing .211/.286/.381 with eight homers, nine doubles, 30 RBI and 25 runs across 60 games while splitting time between catcher and designated hitter.

Realmuto isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup against the White Sox.

Realmuto will begin on the bench after starting behind the plate the prior four contests. The veteran catcher will look to reset after going 1-for-18 over his last seven games. Rafael Marchan is starting at catcher for the Phillies on Sunday.

Fermin went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Marcus Semien went yard in the top of the seventh inning to give the Mets a 2-1 lead, but Fermin's two-run blast swung the score back in favor of the Padres in their half of the frame. It's the first homer of the year for Fermin and his first hit of any kind since May 14 in Milwaukee. He's still playing regularly, though Rodolfo Duran has cut into Fermin's time a bit recently while the Padres wait for Luis Campusano (toe) to return. On the year, Fermin is hitting a paltry .133 with a .431 OPS, six RBI, 12 runs scored, four doubles and no stolen bases over 122 plate appearances.

Contreras went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Rockies.

Contreras entered the contest 0-for-10 with two strikeouts over his last three games. He was able to end an 11-game homer drought when he went deep in the seventh inning to stretch the Brewers' lead to 3-1. Contreras is batting .283 with a .733 OPS, five homers, 38 RBI, 32 runs scored, one stolen base and 10 doubles over 58 contests this season. He continues to be steady at the plate, though he is on pace for his lowest homer total since he hit eight in his 52-game stint with Atlanta in 2021.

Salazar cleared waivers and received an outright assignment to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Salazar was designated for assignment Thursday but will stay in the Astros' organization with Sugar Land. The 30-year-old could be recalled to the big leagues if Christian Vazquez or Collin Price is sidelined.

The Angels selected Campero's contract from Double-A Rocket City and placed him on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to a fractured hand.

Campero was hit by a pitch and suffered a fracture on his hand in Rocket City' game against Montgomery on Sunday, so he'll have to wait to make his 2026 big-league debut. Campero slashed .287/.375/.455 with six home runs and 27 RBI in 167 plate appearances at the Double-A level, and he's taking the 40-man roster spot of Omar Martinez, who was designated for assignment Saturday.

The Yankees recalled Escarra from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Escarra was sent down to Triple-A on Friday after putting up just a .493 OPS through 68 plate appearances, but he'll turn around and return to the Bronx now that Austin Wells (head) is on the injured list. Escarra will likely work in a timeshare alongside Ali Sanchez behind the plate until Wells returns.

The Yankees placed Wells on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to cervical headaches.

Wells has gone just 1-for-14 at the plate over his last five games, and his headaches will now force him to remain out until at least mid-June. J.C. Escarra was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move and will likely split reps behind the dish with Ali Sanchez.