MLB Player News

Raleigh went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 6-2 win over the Rangers on Sunday.

Raleigh has found the power stroke in 2022, going deep 13 times over the first half of the season. The total ranks him third amongst catchers, behind only Will Smith and Willson Contreras. Raleigh's .469 SLG is the redeeming factor in a slash line which otherwise includes a .206 AVG and .286 OBP.

The Royals returned Fermin to Triple-A Omaha following Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Since Fermin joined the Royals as a replacement for one of the 10 players who were placed on the restricted list prior to Thursday's series opener in Toronto, he won't be exposed to waivers even while he comes off the 40-man roster as he heads back to Omaha. Fermin started behind the plate in the last two games of the series with the Blue Jays, going 0-for-7 with a run scored.

Delay will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Delay will be making his second start since Tyler Heineman (personal) was reinstated Friday from the family medical emergency list, with one of his starts coming against a right-hander (German Marquez) and the other coming versus a lefty (Austin Gomber). Since Delay is hitting .320 with three doubles, three RBI and two runs scored in 10 games following his call-up from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier this month, the Pirates could be inclined to give him a look as their primary backstop while he's swinging a hot bat.

Heineman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

After going 2-for-3 in Saturday's 2-0 loss in what was his first start since July 2, Heineman will retreat to the bench for the series finale. Though he's available again after a stint on the family medical emergency list, Heineman looks like he could be the Pirates' No. 2 option at catcher behind Jason Delay, who gets the starting nod Sunday.

Serven is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Serven appeared to solidify himself as the Rockies' top backstop in mid-June, but he and Elias Diaz have since fallen into a near-even timeshare behind the dish. The two have alternated starts at catcher for 12 consecutive contests, with Serven going 1-for-19 with a double, two walks, two runs and no RBI in his six starts during that stretch.

The Rangers optioned Huff to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Huff hadn't been receiving much playing time of late as one of three catchers on the active roster and as a reserve first baseman/designated hitter, so the Rangers will send him back to Triple-A to see regular at-bats. Utility man Nick Solak was summoned from Round Rock to replace Huff on the active roster.

Nido is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs due to a left forearm injury, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Per Puma, manager Buck Showalter said Nido is undergoing an MRI for the injury that will keep him on the bench for the series finale, though the skipper doesn't believe the backstop is dealing with anything serious. Patrick Mazeika will pick up the start behind the dish Sunday, forming a battery with starting pitcher David Peterson.

Knizner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

He'll get a breather for the day game, paving the way for Austin Romine to get a turn behind the dish. Knizner appears to have re-established himself as St. Louis' top backstop in the absence of the injured Yadier Molina (knee) after going 7-for-15 with five RBI while starting at catcher in five of the Cardinals' previous six contests.

Sanchez will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the White Sox, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez had been starting to lose out on work at designated hitter to begin the past week, but top backstop Ryan Jeffers' (thumb) move to the injured list Friday should pave the way for Sanchez to see steady work behind the dish. He'll be making his third consecutive start at catcher after going 2-for-7 with a walk and a run over the past two contests.

Murphy, who went 2-for-4 in a loss to the Astros on Saturday, is now carrying a .360/.393/.540 slash line across 56 plate appearances in 13 July games.

The hot-hitting backstop's torrid stretch includes six doubles, a home run, six RBI, two walks and seven runs. Murphy has a quartet of multi-hit efforts as well during the current month, and he's managed to reach safely in all but one game.