MLB Player News

Plawecki (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Plawecki landed on the COVID-19 IL earlier this week but was able to quickly clear the protocols and rejoin the team. Now that he's available, the 31-year-old will reclaim backup duties behind starting catcher Christian Vazquez. Connor Wong was optioned to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

Gallagher is unable to enter Canada for the four-game series in Toronto this weekend due to his vaccination status, so he'll be placed on the restricted list Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Both Gallagher and MJ Melendez will be unable to make the trip to Canada due to being unvaccinated, so the Royals will need to call up some players from the minors to fill in behind the dish against the Blue Jays. Gallagher should reclaim his role as Kansas City's backup catcher following the All-Star break.

Heim (illness) is starting Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Heim was unavailable Tuesday against Oakland due to an illness, but he'll start behind the plate and bat fifth during Wednesday's series finale. Over his last six games, he's hit .350 with five runs, a walk and three strikeouts.

Gomes isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Orioles.

Gomes went 0-for-3 during Tuesday's series opener and will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Willson Contreras is starting behind the plate while Rafael Ortega serves as the designated hitter.

Ruiz isn't starting the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Seattle, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz will get a breather after he went 2-for-4 with a double and a run during the first game of the twin bill. Tres Barrera is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.

Raleigh is out of the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Washington.

Raleigh will get a breather after he caught all nine innings of the Mariners' 6-4 win in Game 1 while going 1-for-4 with a solo home run, his 12th of the season. Luis Torrens will check in behind the dish for Raleigh in the nightcap.

Plawecki (illness) was spotted in the Red Sox clubhouse Wednesday, implying that he's cleared COVID-19 protocols, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

It's unclear if Plawecki ever tested positive for the virus before or since being placed on the COVID-19-related injured list Monday, but the fact that he's already back with the team suggests he'll likely be formally activated within the next day or two. Connor Wong is currently on Boston's active roster as the top backup to No. 1 catcher Christian Vazquez.

Jansen isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Jansen returned to action Tuesday against Philadelphia and went 1-for-3 in the win. However, he'll get a day off while Alejandro Kirk starts behind the plate with Raimel Tapia entering the lineup in left field.

Trevino isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Trevino started in the last two games and went 2-for-8 with an RBI and two strikeouts. Kyle Higashioka will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Rogers (elbow) is progressing toward a return and is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list at some point this season, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. "He's ready to do most things on the field, except for the taxing part of throwing every single pitch as a catcher," Hinch said.

Rogers is on the mend from last September's Tommy John surgery, but because he's a position player, he'll face a shorter timeline for his recovery than a pitcher would. Hinch noted that at this stage, Rogers is further along with his hitting program than his throwing program, the latter of which he began March 7. The Tigers haven't outlined a target date for when the 27-year-old catcher might start a minor-league rehab assignment, but he's expected to need the full 20-day rehab window to get his timing back at the plate.