MLB Player News

Thaiss is not starting Thursday against the Red Sox.

Thaiss has started the past four games, going 0-for-12 with two walks and six strikeouts during that stretch. David Fletcher is starting at third base against lefty Chris Sale on Thursday.

Higashioka went 2-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in Wednesday's 14-2 win over the Orioles.

Higashioka had quite the coming-out party in the series finale, submitting his first multi-homer game while exceeding his combined RBI output (four) from his prior nine contests with the Yankees this season. The backstop has flashed some intriguing power both in the high minors and his limited time in the majors, but he probably won't get many more additional opportunities to showcase his skills. Gary Sanchez (groin) is on track to return from the injured list in a few days, and Higashioka is less likely than Austin Romine to stick around as the No. 2 catcher since he still has a minor-league option remaining.

Barnhart is not in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs.

Barnhart has started the past four games behind the dish and gone 5-for-14 with three home runs and a 3:1 BB:K. Kyle Farmer is starting at catcher and hitting eighth in place of Barnhart in this one.

Murphy went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run in a win over the Padres on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old backstop came home with the Mariners' first run of the game on Kyle Seager's groundout in the second inning. Murphy had been on base courtesy of his first triple of the season, the latest milestone in a solid offensive campaign. Murphy is now slashing .272/.300/.519 across 170 plate appearances, and 19 (eight doubles, one triple, 10 home runs) of his 44 hits have impressively gone for extra bases.

Ruiz was put on the seven-day IL at Triple-A Oklahoma City with a broken pinky, J.P. Hoornstra of The Orange County Register reports.

Ruiz broke his finger when he was hit on the hand by a pitch on Saturday. The move is retroactive to Sunday, though the 21-year-old catcher figures to miss extended time with the significant injury. Ranked as the 36th best prospect in baseball by MLB.com, Ruiz hit .261 with six home runs and 34 RBI in 314 at-bats between Double-A Tulsa and Oklahoma City this season.

Barnes went 2-for-4 with a solo blast for the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Wednesday and has now homered in five straight games.

Barnes has responded well to his demotion to the minors, hitting .333 (11-for-33) with five homers and 11 runs batted in over eight games. With top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz potentially out for the season with a broken finger, Barnes figures to get the bulk of the starts with Oklahoma City. We may see him in the majors again this season, but Will Smith's emergence as an offensive force since joining the big club means that Barnes' days as the primary catcher for the Dodgers are likely numbered.

McCann went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI on Wednesday against the Tigers.

McCann drove in a run on all three of his hits, which included two singles and a double. It was his third consecutive multi-hit effort, a stretch during which he's managed three doubles, four runs scored and five RBI. This stretch is a continuation of his impressive campaign, as he's hitting .288/.342/.463 across 240 plate appearances.

Moore was acquired by the Royals from the Rangers on Wednesday for cash considerations.

The MLB trade deadline may have come and gone last week, but minor leaguers like Moore are still free to be traded. The 35-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers in February and has a .255/.363/.349 slash line in 31 games at Triple-A.

Davis was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Davis is no longer needed with the big club, as Jonathan Lucroy, who signed with the Cubs on Wednesday, is set to join the team ahead of Thursday's series opener in Cincinnati. The backstop went hitless in three at-bats during his most recent stint with Chicago.

Gallagher was scratched from Wednesday's game against the Red Sox with left side tightness, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Gallagher apparently picked up the injury during pregame batting practice. Meibrys Viloria is now starting at catcher and hitting seventh in place of Gallagher, who should be considered day-to-day.