MLB Player News

Murphy went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader split with the Tigers.

After starting at catcher and drawing two walks in the matinee, Murphy shifted to DH for the second game of the twin bill. He produced the biggest hit of the contest, slugging a 447-foot, three-run homer to center field in the sixth inning that provided all of the runs Oakland needed to pull out the win. Murphy has struggled for much of the season but has turned things around in July, batting .333 with two homers, nine runs and nine RBI over 60 at-bats.

Haase isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Athletics.

Haase drew the start during Thursday's matinee and went 0-for-3 with a run and two walks. Tucker Barnhart is starting behind the dish and batting eighth during the nightcap.

Trevino isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Astros.

Trevino started the first game of the twin bill but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Kyle Higashioka is taking over behind the plate and batting ninth.

Bart isn't starting Thursday against the Dodgers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bart started the last four games and went 4-for-12 with a homer, a double, four runs and two RBI. Austin Wynns is taking over behind the dish and batting ninth.

Maldonado isn't starting the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado started the final two games ahead of the All-Star break and went 1-for-6 with a grand slam. Korey Lee is starting behind the plate and batting ninth during Thursday's matinee.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Fortes made three consecutive starts for the Marlins at one point last week, but he'll be on the bench for the third time in four games while Jacob Stallings gets the nod behind the dish. Though Fortes has been the far more productive hitter of the two backstops this season, Stallings' defensive acumen looks as though it'll be enough to make him Option 1A behind the plate for Miami as the team opens its second-half schedule.

Grandal (back) went 0-for-2 with three walks Sunday in his rehab game with Triple-A Charlotte.

Grandal drew starts at either first base or catcher over his last three games with Charlotte and looks like he'll be ready to return from the 10-day injured list to step back in as the White Sox's No. 1 catcher when the big club opens its second-half schedule Friday against the Guardians. The 33-year-old, who has been on the shelf since June 13 with lower-back spasms, began his rehab assignment July 7. Between stops with Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham, Grandal appeared in nine games and went 9-for-25 with two home runs and an impressive 13:4 BB:K.

Kirk went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Royals.

Just ahead of his first career appearance in the All-Star Game, Kirk played hero for the Blue Jays, taking Wyatt Mills deep in the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie. The homer was his 11th of the season, snapping a 19-game drought, but Kirk has hardly been quiet in July -- he's hit safely in six straight games and sports a .298/.333/.386 slash line through 16 contests on the month.

The Brewers reinstated Jackson (finger) from the 10-day injured list Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville.

Milwaukee already has three catchers on its 26-man active roster (Omar Narvaez, Victor Caratini and Pedro Severino), so Jackson won't join the big club even though he's made a full recovery from the left middle finger sprain that landed him on the IL on June 10. Jackson recently wrapped a five-game rehab assignment between the Brewers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate and Nashville, during which he went 3-for-9 with a double, five walks and a run scored.

Mejia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Orioles.

Mejia took Keegan Akin yard in the sixth inning to record his sixth homer of the season. He closed pre-All-Star break action in strong form, hitting .381 with four RBI and four runs scored across his last six starts. Even since the Rays acquired Christian Bethancourt, Mejia has alternated starts behind the dish.