MLB Player News

Sanchez (abdomen) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

He'll remain on the bench for a sixth consecutive game while he contends with abdominal tightness. However, manager Rocco Baldelli said the catcher is working out on the field prior to Wednesday's matchup, and he's hopeful that Sanchez will be able to return to the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Tigers, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Stephenson (concussion) is expected to catch a live BP on Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson participated in agility drills and ran on the field ahead of Wednesday's game against the Padres. Since the 25-year-old will catch a live BP session from Mike Minor (shoulder) this weekend, manager David Bell indicated that Stephenson could return sometime during the Reds' series in Milwaukee that begins Tuesday.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Maldonado will receive some routine maintenance after catching four of the Astros' past five games. Jason Castro will step in behind the dish Wednesday to form a battery with starting pitcher Cristian Javier.

Barnhart isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Barnhart will get a breather after he went 2-for-6 with a double, two runs and two strikeouts in his last two appearances. Eric Haase will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Kirk isn't starting Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Kirk has gone 2-for-12 with two walks in his last five appearances, and he'll retreat to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Tyler Heineman will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Vazquez isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went 2-for-3 with a run, a walk and a strikeout Tuesday against Toronto. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Higashioka is sitting for the fourth time in six games and looks to have fallen behind Jose Trevino on the depth chart at catcher. The 32-year-old Higashioka could be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre whenever fellow backstop Ben Rortvedt (oblique) is cleared to return from the 10-day injured list.

Stubbs will start at catcher and bat ninth Wednesday against the Rockies, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Stubbs will be making just his fifth appearance of the season through the Phillies' first 19 games, as top backstop J.T. Realmuto has shouldered one of the heaviest workloads among all MLB catchers thus far in April. The Phillies will finally extend Realmuto a breather after 10 consecutive turns behind the dish, allowing Stubbs to pick up his first start since April 15.

Realmuto isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Realmuto went 4-for-12 with two doubles, three runs, an RBI, a stolen base and three strikeouts in his last three appearances, and he'll get his first day off since April 15. Garrett Stubbs will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Stephenson (concussion) participated in agility drills and ran on the field prior to Wednesday's game against the Padres, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is eligible to return from the 7-day injured list as early as Wednesday, but manager David Bell said Sunday that he isn't sure whether the catcher will be back in action in time for the team's weekend series against Colorado. While it was encouraging to see Stephenson participate in some work Wednesday, it's not yet clear when he'll return to game action. Aramis Garcia is starting behind the plate once again Wednesday.