MLB Player News

Nola will start at second base and bat seventh Wednesday against the Rangers.

Nola will enter the lineup for a fifth straight game and will make his second consecutive start at the keystone. With Dee Gordon (quadriceps) landing on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Nola may be in line for a trial in an everyday role, potentially making him someone worth keeping an eye on in AL-only or deeper mixed leagues.

Gallagher is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Braves.

Gallagher has been the top option behind the plate in Kansas City since the team traded Martin Maldonado to the Cubs, starting five of seven games prior to Wednesday's contest. Meibrys Viloria gets the nod in his absence.

Stassi went 2-for-3 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Athletics.

Heading into Tuesday, Stassi had managed just four hits in 28 at-bats over his 11 games since returning from the 10-day injured list in late June. The two-hit performance is a marginal step in the right direction, but Stassi probably won't be in line for a surge in playing time because of it. He's locked in as the clear No. 2 catcher in Houston behind Robinson Chirinos.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

With starts in four of the Cubs' previous seven games, Maldonado appeared to overtake Victor Caratini as the team's primary backstop, but both should see their roles decline considerably moving forward. Chicago reinstated two-time All-Star Willson Contreras (foot) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday and inserted him into the lineup behind the plate for the series finale. Assuming Contreras makes it out of the contest OK, he'll likely shoulder a heavy workload at catcher the rest of the way.

Contreras (foot) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against the Giants, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. He'll bat fifth and start at catcher in the series finale.

As anticipated, Contreras was able to make it back from the IL in the minimum amount of time while making a speedy recovery from the strained right foot. Though Contreras' shaky health motivated the Cubs to acquire some extra catching insurance in the form of Martin Maldonado, the two-time All-Star is fully expected to take on the overwhelming share of starts behind the dish now that he's back on the active roster. The Cubs optioned infielder Addison Russell to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Higashioka was recalled by the Yankees on Wednesday.

Higashioka is needed to back up Austin Romine with Gary Sanchez landing on the injured list with a groin strain. Higashioka has gotten into 42 games with the Yankees over the last three seasons but done little at the plate, hitting .143/.209/.267.

Sanchez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain Wednesday.

Sanchez has struggled to a .111/.191/.173 slash line over his last 20 games, but he can't blame the injury for his struggles, as it occurred while he was running to first base Tuesday against the Twins. The severity of the issue is not yet clear, but he'll sit for a minimum of 10 days. Kyle Higashioka was recalled in a corresponding move and will back up Austin Romine behind the plate.

Gomes is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Rockies.

After reaching base three times and working behind the dish in the series opener Tuesday, Gomes will take a seat with the Nationals facing a quick turnaround for the front end of the twin bill. Kurt Suzuki will handle catching duties for the afternoon contest, but expect Gomes to check back into the lineup for the second game.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk Tuesday in the Rays' 5-4 loss to the Red Sox.

D'Arnaud occupied the leadoff spot for a third straight game and again delivered another quality night at the dish, slugging his second home run in three days. Since joining the Rays on May 10, d'Arnaud has slashed a solid .266/.327/.532 with 19 extra-base hits (11 home runs, eight doubles), 33 RBI and 29 runs in 46 contests. With the Rays facing another lefty (David Price) in the series finale Wednesday, d'Arnaud will be back atop the order and man first base, per Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network.

Vazquez pinch hit for Mitch Moreland and drilled his 16th home run in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Rays.

Vazquez broke a 2-2 tie with a 403-foot solo blast to left field. The catcher, who has hit more homers this season than in his previous four campaigns combined, is on pace for 25 in 2019.