MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Mejia (shoulder) will be available off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.

Though top backstop Mike Zunino will remain behind the dish Wednesday, the Rays' decision not to add another catcher to the 28-man active roster for the series finale in Boston implies confidence in Mejia's health. A bruised right shoulder has kept Mejia on the bench for two straight games, but Cash said the 25-year-old could re-enter the lineup Friday in Detroit.

Mejia (shoulder) isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Mejia will take a seat for a second straight game with Mike Zunino starting at catcher and batting ninth. However, the 25-year-old said he felt better Tuesday, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him available off the bench in Wednesday's series finale.

Rogers (forearm) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch indicated in late August that Rogers would likely miss the remainder of the season due to a right forearm strain, but it wasn't until Wednesday that it was revealed that the young backstop would require surgery. Rogers is now officially out for the remainder of the 2021 campaign, and he'll likely need most or all of the 2022 season to complete his rehab from the procedure. The 26-year-old appeared in 38 games prior to his injury and slashed .239/.306/.496 with six homers, 17 runs, 17 RBI and a stolen base.

Haase is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

After going 1-for-7 with a walk and a run scored while starting at catcher in the first two games in Pittsburgh, Haase will get a breather for the series finale. Dustin Garneau will replace Haase behind the dish.

Vazquez isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez will get a day off after he went 2-for-10 with two runs, an RBI and a strikeout across the last two games. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

With four starts in the Reds' previous six games, Stephenson has seen an uptick in playing time lately, but that's mostly been a byproduct of Cincinnati facing a lefty-heavy slate. Stephenson will be on the bench for the second game in a row with the Reds matching up another righty (Alec Mills) in the series finale, affording No. 1 backstop Tucker Barnhart a turn behind the plate.

Hedges is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Hedges will be getting a routine breather after he caught each of Cleveland's last three contests. Ryan Lavarnway will step in behind the dish Wednesday, catching for starting pitcher Triston McKenzie.

Smith went 4-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in a 7-2 win over St. Louis on Tuesday.

The backstop logged his first four-hit game of the campaign and drilled his fifth homer in his past 10 games. Smith has cemented his place among the top catchers in the game this season, slashing .273/.381/.518 across 431 plate appearances. He leads National League backstops with 23 homers, 68 RBI, 61 runs and 52 walks.

Casali will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday against the Rockies.

Casali should make for an appealing streaming option in season-long leagues with daily lineup moves, given that he'll have the benefit of hitting at high altitude in Colorado. Beyond Wednesday, however, Casali won't provide much fantasy value, given that he typically starts only once or twice per week while No. 1 catcher Buster Posey is healthy. Posey is merely getting some routine maintenance Wednesday with the Giants playing a day game after a night game.

Heim isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Heim has gone 0-for-16 with an RBI, a walk and four strikeouts in his last four starts, and he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Jose Trevino will start at catcher and bat eighth.