MLB Player News

Grandal went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Yankees.

The veteran catcher got the Pirates' offense going with a solo shot off Luis Gil in the second inning, one of five long balls by Pittsburgh on the afternoon. It's Grandal's first multi-hit performance since Aug. 21, and his first three-hit effort since Aug. 4. On the season, the 35-year-old sports a .228/.304/.400 slash line with nine homers and 27 RBI in 215 plate appearances.

Heim is absent from Saturday's lineup against the Angels.

Heim will get a breather Saturday after going 1-for-4 with three strikeouts in Friday's 5-2 win over the Halos. Carson Kelly will start behind home plate and bat seventh.

Thaiss is absent from Saturday's lineup against Texas, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The lefty-hitting Thaiss will retreat to the dugout Saturday with the Rangers sending southpaw Andrew Heaney to the mound. Brandon Drury will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

Alvarez (back) isn't in the Mets' lineup Saturday against Milwaukee, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez had to make an early exit from Friday's contest due to back spasms, and while his back is reportedly feeling better, per DiComo, he's not quite ready to return to the starting lineup. Luis Torrens will catch for Jose Quintana and bat seventh.

Diaz isn't in the Astros' lineup for Saturday's game against the Guardians.

Diaz will get a rare off day Saturday as the Astros elect to rest many of their regular starters with the postseason just around the corner. In his place, Victor Caratini will pick up a start behind the dish and bat third.

Wong isn't in the Red Sox's lineup for Saturday's game versus the Rays.

Wong went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts during Friday's series opener and will now sit down for the penultimate game of Boston's season. His absence will put Danny Jansen behind the plate to catch for right-hander Kutter Crawford.

Fortes isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Saturday's game against Toronto.

Fortes went 0-for-4 during Friday's series opener and will now hand catching duties over to Jhonny Pereda, who will bat ninth.

McCann, drawing his first start since Sept. 15, went 1-for-3 in a loss to the Mariners on Friday.

McCann had been limited to a trio of pinch-hit appearances since his last turn in the starting nine nearly two weeks prior. The rookie backstop's bat faded over the latter portion of the season after a hot start to his big-league career, but his nine extra-base hits, 15 RBI, 15 walks, 13 runs, .241 batting average and .700 OPS give him a foundation to build on going into his first offseason as a major-league player.

Rogers isn't in Detroit's lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox.

After going 1-for-3 with a run scored in Friday's win, Rogers will turn catching duties over to Dillon Dingler for the penultimate game of the regular season.

Lee isn't in the White Sox's lineup for Saturday's game against Detroit.

Lee will sit out Chicago's penultimate game after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Friday's loss. Chuckie Robinson will catch instead for Sean Burke and bat eighth.