MLB Player News

Leon was designated for assignment by the Guardians on Friday.

Leon served as catching depth over the last week and a half but will exit the roster after Austin Hedges (concussion) was reinstated from the injured list. Leon hit .133 with six walks and four strikeouts during his time on the major-league roster.

Hedges (concussion) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Hedges was on the shelf for a week and a half but is starting behind the dish and batting eighth during Friday's matchup against the Royals. He hit just .111 with a homer, three runs and three RBI over his last 10 games leading up to his absence but should serve as the Guardians' primary catcher now that he's healthy.

Diaz isn't starting Friday against the Diamondbacks.

Diaz hit .100 (2-for-20) with a walk and five strikeouts over his last six games and will take a seat for the second time in the last three matchups. Brian Serven is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

McCann is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McCann started three straight games shortly after being activated from the injured list in late June, but he's alternated starts with Tomas Nido over the past eight games. That trend will continue Friday after McCann went 1-for-4 with a three-run home in Thursday's series opener.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Texas, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez is mired in a 2-for-17 slump and finds himself on the bench for the second straight game. Alex Kirilloff (undisclosed) will serve as the designated hitter while Nick Gordon starts in left field.

Mejia is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Cincinnati, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays have alternated starters behind the plate over the past six games, and that trend will continue Friday after Mejia started Wednesday and went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. Rene Pinto will catch and bat eighth for Tampa Bay.

D'Arnaud will be on the bench Friday against the Nationals.

D'Arnaud is having a strong season at the plate. His 119 wRC+ ranks fifth among catchers with at least 200 plate appearances, while his 11 homers tie him for fifth among all backstops. Atlanta has gotten unexpected contributions from fellow catcher William Contreras, however, so d'Arnaud won't be asked to handle too heavy of a workload behind the plate.

Rutschman is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Angels, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutschman will get a day off after he went 4-for-18 with a homer, a double, two RBI and four runs over the last five games. Robinson Chirinos will take over behind the plate and bat eighth against the Angels.

Rutschman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Angels.

Rutschman opened the scoring with his second-inning solo shot. He's gone 4-for-14 with two RBI and four runs scored over his last four contests after snapping an 0-for-15 skid. The catcher continues to work on adjusting at the plate, as he owns a .214/.286/.400 slash line with four homers, 11 RBI, 19 runs scored and a stolen base through 154 plate appearances.

Maldonado went 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored and a walk in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Royals.

Maldonado walked in his first plate appearance, doubled in his second and singled in each of his last two at-bats en route to his first three-hit game of the season. Across 61 appearances, the veteran catcher is slashing .160/.237/.310 with seven homers and 18 RBI.