MLB Player News

Kirk (hip) will serve as the designated hitter in a game at extended spring training Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

The 22-year-old has been on the shelf since early May with a strained left hip flexor, but he's progressing to the final stages of his rehab work. Kirk is on the 60-day injured list and isn't eligible to be activated until early July, and he could return when first eligible if he's able to begin a rehab assignment within the next few weeks.

Sanchez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Twins.

Sanchez has a 1.054 OPS in his past 11 appearances and will receive a breather after starting the last four games. Kyle Higashioka will bat eighth and catch for Gerrit Cole on Wednesday.

Maldonado isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado was in the lineup for each of the last four games, and he went 4-for-16 with a home run, seven RBI, three runs and six strikeouts during that time. Garrett Stubbs will start at catcher and bat ninth.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Stallings will get a breather after he caught four of the last five games for the Pirates. Michael Perez steps in behind the dish Wednesday, working in a battery with starting pitcher Tyler Anderson.

Murphy isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Murphy had started in each of the last two games and went 2-for-8 with an RBI and three strikeouts during that time. Jose Godoy will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Plawecki (jaw) is available off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Plawecki was removed from Tuesday's contest due to a jaw contusion, but he's feeling better Wednesday. Christian Vazquez will continue to handle most of the work at catcher ahead of Plawecki, who likely won't be in line for more than one or two starts most weeks.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Barnhart will get some routine maintenance after catching in each of the Reds' last three games. Tyler Stephenson will fill in for Barnhart behind the dish Wednesday.

Haase isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Haase had started each of the last four games, and manager A.J. Hinch said ahead of Tuesday's matchup that the 28-year-old is in line for a larger role going forward. However, he'll get a breather after he went 7-for-16 with four homers, a double, seven RBI and four runs across his last four appearances. Jake Rogers will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Contreras isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over San Diego, but he'll get a breather in Wednesday's series finale. P.J. Higgins will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Bart went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and two RBI for Triple-A Sacramento in its 4-3 win over Reno on Tuesday.

Just over a month into the minor-league season, Bart has already churned out seven multi-hit games at Sacramento. The 24-year-old catcher is now slashing .358/.411/.642 through 73 plate appearances in the minors, but a call-up to the big leagues likely won't be in the forecast for Bart unless No. 1 backstop Buster Posey is forced to the injured list at some point.