MLB Player News

In seven games since getting promoted to Triple-A Toledo, Briceno has gone just 4-for-24 with no home runs and nine strikeouts.

Briceno earned the promotion by slashing .297/.382/.672 with eight home runs across 76 plate appearances for Double-A Erie earlier in the season. So far, Triple-A hasn't been as welcoming for the 21-year-old, but he's shown good offensive upside throughout his time in the minors and should settle in with the Mud Hens eventually. Briceno remains the Tigers' top catching prospect and could start knocking on the door of the majors next year, though Dillon Dingler has solidified himself as Detroit's answer behind the plate, so Briceno may have to shift to a different position when he makes his MLB debut.

Diaz isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Diaz will sit out a second consecutive game after posting a .443 OPS in 37 plate appearances since the beginning of August. Christian Vazquez will start behind the plate and bat ninth Thursday.

Narvaez will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game versus the Yankees.

Samuel Basallo returned from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, but he's made one start at first base and one at designated hitter, allowing Narvaez to make a fourth consecutive start Thursday. Since Basallo is coming back from a right shoulder injury, the Orioles could be easing him back into catching duties. Narvaez is just 3-for-35 at the plate since joining Baltimore and has a .489 OPS on the season, so he's not a recommended fantasy play even if he does continue seeing regular reps.

Contreras is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Mariners.

It's a rare day off for Contreras, who had started each of the previous 12 contests for the Brewers. Gary Sanchez will do the catching and will bat cleanup in Thursday's rubber match.

Raleigh is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Milwaukee.

Raleigh is slashing just .104/.271/.229 in August as his season-long offensive struggles continue. Jhonny Pereda will fill in at catcher for the Mariners in the series finale while Raleigh regroups.

Heim is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Heim started at catcher the last two days, so he will get a breather during Thursday's matinee. Brian Serven will be behind the dish for the Athletics.

Kirk went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Rays.

The backstop got the Jays on the board with a solo shot off Drew Rasmussen in the top of the fourth inning. Kirk has left the yard in consecutive games and three times in the last five as part of an eight-game hitting streak. Over that heater, he's produced a .424/.500/.758 slash line with two doubles, five runs, nine RBI and a 5:2 BB:K.

Jensen is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Athletics.

Jensen -- who is sporting a .178/.302/.346 batting line in the second half -- will get a routine breather after starting the last four contests. Luke Maile is grabbing a start at catcher for the Royals.

Hicks is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Blue Jays.

Hicks started at catcher in each of the last three games, so he will be given some rest during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Nick Fortes will do the catching in the rubber match.

Vazquez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Angels.

Vazquez has homered in his last two games and now has seven long balls on the year. His blast in the third inning opened the scoring Wednesday. The veteran catcher is hitting .219 with a .628 OPS, 25 RBI, 21 runs scored, one stolen base and seven doubles over 233 plate appearances. Vazquez has seen a slight uptick in playing time lately while Yainer Diaz is stuck in a 3-for-23 slump.