MLB Player News

Kirk will start at catcher and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Angels.

Kirk will get a turn behind the plate in the series finale while fellow backstop Danny Jansen takes a seat. Though he's been swinging a hot bat of late by going 6-for-13 with two doubles, a walk, four runs and an RBI over his last four games, Kirk has faded into more of a part-time role following Jansen's return from the injured list earlier this month. Kirk is starting Sunday for just the fifth time in nine games.

Bethancourt went 2-for-4 with a run in a loss to the Rangers on Saturday.

The reserve backstop reached safely for the fourth time in five games and generated his second multi-hit effort in that span. Bethancourt continues to be an occasional contributor at the plate, but it remains to be seen how much longer his stint on the big-league roster will last with Stephen Vogt (knee) kicking off his rehab assignment Saturday and therefore likely to return to action relatively soon.

Nola is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Nola will take a seat for the day game following the night game after he started at catcher and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's 4-2 loss. With Nola on the bench, Jorge Alfaro will catch for starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore in the series finale.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Jansen started three of the past four games and will take a seat after going 4-for-14 with three home runs, five RBI and four runs during that stretch. Alejandro Kirk will work behind the plate in Sunday's series finale.

Raleigh is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Raleigh started the first two games against Houston and will head to the bench for the series finale after going 1-for-8 with a double, a run and four strikeouts. Luis Torrens will work behind the plate Sunday.

Garver is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the A's.

The 31-year-old has sat out the past two days due to left knee soreness, and he'll remain on the bench again Sunday. Manager Chris Woodward previously said he expected Garver back in the lineup by Monday. Kole Calhoun will serve as the designated hitter while Eli White takes his place in the outfield.

Adams went 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks, two RBI and three runs in the Nationals' 13-7 win Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader.

Since No. 1 backstop Keibert Ruiz was behind the plate for the Nationals' 3-2 loss in the nightcap, Adams will draw the start at catcher as the two teams close out their series Sunday with a day game after a night game. Adams has posted a .679 OPS in 53 plate appearances on the season while serving as Ruiz's main understudy.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

After going 1-for-4 with a double in the Nationals' 3-2 loss Saturday in the second half of a doubleheader, Ruiz will get a breather as the two teams wrap up their series with a day game. Riley Adams will check in for Ruiz behind the plate.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stallings will receive a routine maintenance day after he caught each of Miami's last five games while going 5-for-17 at the dish with two doubles, two walks, three RBI and a run. Nick Fortes will form a battery with starting pitcher Elieser Hernandez.

Sanchez (illness) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Sanchez was pulled from Saturday's contest due to a heat-related illness and will be sidelined for at least one additional contest. Byron Buxton will rest his legs as Minnesota's designated hitter Sunday while Royce Lewis will start in center field.