MLB Player News

McCann will start at catcher and bat eighth Monday against the Yankees.

After fellow backstop Alex Avila was traded to the Cubs earlier Monday, McCann looks bound to see regular duties behind the plate for the final two months of the season. The 27-year-old season line of .242/.319/.456 is rather modest, but he's elevated his production since the All-Star break, going 14-for-33 (.424 average) with five extra-base hits and five RBI. With his playing time looking stable the rest of the way, McCann could make for a decent pickup in deeper mixed leagues or two-catcher formats where he's still available.

Narvaez is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Narvaez will take a seat for the second game in a row after having started four of the previous five contests. Despite his .320/.433/480 triple slash coming out of the All-Star break, the 25-year-old still appears to be stuck in a timeshare with Kevan Smith.

Higashioka (back) has been on the 7-day DL at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since June 22.

Higashioka has gotten a couple chances with the big-league squad this year, but he got hurt just two games after heading back to the minors and has been out over a month. While the catcher went 0-for-18 in the majors, he's slashing .286/.340/.490 at Triple-A, so whenever healthy, Higashioka figures to be the first man up if the Yankees need catching depth.

Jackson was promoted from High-A Florida to Double-A Mississippi on Sunday.

After disappointing in his first three professional seasons with the Mariners, Jackson is starting to make good on the potential that made him the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 first-year player draft, though it took an offseason trade to the Braves in order for it to happen. The 21-year-old's plate discipline (13:74 BB:K in 282 plate appearances this season) still leaves something to be desired, but his resurgent power (31 extra-base hits, .502 slugging percentage) earned him a promotion to the Southern League. Jackson's outlook in dynasty leagues has also improved thanks to a move from outfield to catcher, though it remains uncertain that he'll be able to stick behind the plate at the big-league level.

Caratini went 1-for-4 with his first career home run in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

Caratini is the primary backup to catcher Willson Contreras, but he found himself getting the start at first base in place of Anthony Rizzo in this one. The 23-year-old doesn't really play enough to move the fantasy needle in most leagues, but he might be worth an occasional flier in daily leagues when he finds himself in the lineup.

Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Giants, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Grandal has seven hits in his past 20 at-bats (.350), but given his decline of production against lefties during the past couple of seasons, he'll hit the bench for a night off. Austin Barnes will slot in behind the plate in his stead.

Sanchez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With the Padres activating Austin Hedges (concussion) from the 7-day disabled list Sunday and immediately returning him to the lineup, Sanchez's run of regular playing time behind the plate should come to an end. Sanchez has been a useful option in two-catcher leagues for much of July with a .283 average, four home runs and 11 RBI on the month, but his fantasy value will take a substantial hit now that Hedges is healthy again.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the White Sox, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

It'll just be a routine day off for Gomes after he started the first two games of the series behind the plate, going 2-for-8 with three RBI. Roberto Perez will handle catching duties Sunday.

Narvaez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Indians.

Kevan Smith will receive a start for just the second time in six games as Narvaez retreats to the bench. The catching timeshare seems to be tipping in Narvaez's favor of late with the 25-year-old backstop opening the second half with an 8-for-25 showing at the dish while getting on base at a .433 clip.

Hedges (concussion) was activated from the 7-day disabled list and is starting at catcher and batting seventh during Sunday's game against the Pirates, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hedges was placed on the 7-day DL on July 18 after being struck in the head with a foul ball. The backstop has passed his concussion testing and is set to rejoin the Padres lineup. He'll look to improve upon his .218 average moving forward.