MLB Player News

Mejia isn't in the starting lineup Friday against the Diamondbacks.

Mejia is in line for another day off, giving Luis Torrens a chance to start behind the dish. Torrens will bat seventh in Friday's series opener.

Narvaez is not in the lineup Friday against Oakland.

Narvaez has gone hitless in his last four starts. Tom Murphy gets the call behind the plate Friday.

Sanchez (groin) is back in the lineup as expected Friday against the Rangers, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Sanchez wound up missing just two weeks with a strained left groin. He's expected to play a pair of games in the final series of the regular season as he gets ready for the playoffs, though he's only expected to catch four or five innings Friday.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Indians.

The 32-year-old started 11 of the last 12 games but heads to the bench as Kurt Suzuki (elbow) makes his return to the starting nine after a three-week absence. Gomes has hit an .876 OPS during September, but his run of extensive playing time is likely over with Suzuki ready to go.

Vazquez (hamstring) will sit Friday against Baltimore.

Vazquez left Wednesday's game with hamstring tightness and did not appear in Thursday's contest. It remains to be seen whether he'll make another appearance before the end of the year. Juan Centeno will start behind the plate Friday.

Sanchez (groin) is expected to start Friday's game against the Rangers and catch four or five innings, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Sanchez has been out since suffering a left groin strain Sept. 12, but it looks as though he'll be able to get some work in during the final series of the regular season. The 26-year-old is expected to play one additional game this weekend to help get back up to speed after missing the past two weeks.

Barnhart will sit Friday in Pittsburgh.

Barnhart hits the bench for the second straight game. Curt Casali remains the starter behind the plate.

McCann went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in an 8-0 victory for the White Sox over the Indians on Thursday.

The backstop got his 18th long ball of the season, touching up Aaron Civale with a three-run blast in the fourth inning. McCann has provided excellent production at a position where it can be hard to find it this season, sporting a solid .274/.329/.462 slash line with 60 RBI and 26 doubles in addition to the 18 long balls in 118 games.

Thaiss will head to the Dominican Republic to play winter ball during the major-league offseason, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Thaiss will use his time in the Dominican Republic to continue working on his skills at third base. The 24-year-old has appeared in 51 games for the Angels this season, hitting .193 with six homers and 19 RBI in 140 at-bats.

Thaiss is not in the lineup Thursday against the Astros.

Thaiss will head to the bench for a second straight game with a left-hander in Wade Miley starting for the Astros on Thursday. Kaleb Cowart is once again starting at third base in his place, hitting eighth.