MLB Player News

Rortvedt was recalled from the alternate training site Friday and is starting behind the plate against the Royals, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

The 23-year-old will take the place of Ryan Jeffers, who was demoted to the alternate site after a slow start to the season. Despite starting Friday, Rortvedt should work as Minnesota's secondary catcher, but he could see some starts against right-handed pitching, especially if starter Mitch Garver continues to struggle at the plate.

Gomes will sit Friday against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Gomes and fellow catcher Alex Avila have now alternated starts for eight straight games. If the pattern continues, expect Gomes to return to the lineup Saturday but head back to the bench for Sunday's game.

Mejia is not in the lineup Friday against the Astros, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 25-year-old and Mike Zunino have alternated starts over the past week, and Mejia will take a seat after going 1-for-4 with a double during Thursday's series finale against the A's.

Garver is entrenched as Minnesota's starting catcher after Ryan Jeffers was optioned to the alternate site Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old has been splitting time with Jeffers throughout the first month of the season, but the veteran will receive the bulk of the starts going forward with the rookie demoted. Garver has a .172/.213/.431 slash line with four home runs, nine RBI, six runs and a 44.3 percent strikeout rate through 18 games, so he may need to improve at the plate to maintain the starting job for the rest of the season. Willians Astudillo will take over the backup job at catcher for the Twins.

Jeffers was optioned to the alternate training site Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old split work behind the plate with Mitch Garver to open the season, but Garver started three of the past four contests and is now locked into the starting role. Jeffers provides better defense but struggled offensively, going 5-for-34 with one double, one RBI, three runs and a 3:18 K:BB in 11 appearances before the demotion. Willians Astudillo will now operate as the secondary backstop for the Twins.

Trevino went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 4-1 win over Boston.

Trevino's sixth-inning bomb -- his first of the season -- gave the Rangers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Prior to Thursday's action, Trevino was in the midst of a 1-for-21, slump although his average is still a respectable .265.

Barnes was 1-for-1 with an RBI single as the Dodgers lost to the Brewers, 2-1 on Thursday.

Barnes pinch hit for Trevor Bauer and drove home Chris Taylor with two outs in the ninth to bring the Dodgers within one run in the eventual losing effort. It was just the third hit for the backstop over the last two weeks.

Nola flied out in a pinch-hit appearance during Wednesday's 12-3 victory over the Diamondbacks.

After spending the Padres' first 25 games on the shelf with a fractured left middle finger, Nola finally made his 2021 debut Wednesday. He came on in the ninth inning for his first plate appearance of the campaign and stayed in the game for the bottom of the frame, taking over at second base -- a position he has plenty of experience at in both the minors and majors. Nola figures to function as the Padres' primary catcher moving forward, but his ability to play the infield could certainly help him get some extra at-bats over the course of the long season.

Grandal isn't starting Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Grandal was initially slated to sit out Wednesday's contest before it was rained out, but he'll take a seat for Thursday's matinee instead. Zack Collins will start behind the dish and bat seventh.

Maldonado isn't starting Thursday's game against Seattle, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado has gone hitless with a walk and two strikeouts in nine at-bats across the last three games. Jason Castro will start behind the dish and bat ninth.