MLB Player News

Fermin will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

Fermin will stick in the lineup for the fifth game in a row, with the 29-year-old having now made three starts at catcher and two at designated hitter. With Michael Massey having been cleared to resume playing at second base after initially being limited to DH duties upon his return from the injured list June 24, the Royals should have a regular spot in the lineup for Fermin, at least while he's producing at the dish. Fermin will take a five-game hitting streak into the doubleheader and is slashing .304/.356/.435 over 177 plate appearances on the season.

Marchan went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI in Tuesday's 10-1 win over the Dodgers.

Marchan's been red hot, going 8-for-16 with four extra-base hits in his last four games. With J.T. Realmuto (knee) out, the 25-year-old Marchan has certainly made the most of the opportunity -- he's now slashing .313/.353/.583 with three homers, six RBI and eight runs scored through 52 plate appearances. He's likely earned the primary catching job over Garrett Stubbs for now, though Realmuto is expected to rejoin the Phillies following the All-Star break.

Stephenson batted fourth and went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI and two additional runs in Tuesday's 12-6 win over the Rockies.

Stephenson moved up a spot in the order, as Reds manager David Bell was forced to adapt to Jonathan India (knee) being scratched. Spencer Steer, the normal cleanup hitter, covered leadoff for India while Stephenson moved up from fifth. The home run was Stephenson's seventh of the season and first in 26 games.

Raleigh went 3-for-5 with a pair of two-run homers, a double and three runs scored in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Padres.

The switch-hitting Raleigh was able to accomplish hitting a home run from both sides of the plate Tuesday night. He began with a two-run blast in the third from the left side and then matched it with a two-run shot from the right side in the seventh to put the Mariners up 7-0. Raleigh has just 62 hits this season and is hitting .210, but 17 of those have gone for home runs, leading to 55 RBI, which is tied for second among catchers. Raleigh has never been a guy to hit for much average but has always made up for it in the power department. His 74 home runs since the beginning of 2022 lead all catchers in the MLB and his 17 homers this season are the most by a Mariners' catcher before the All-Star break. The 27-year-old is slashing .210/.295/.414 and is on pace for career highs in home runs and RBI.

Higashioka went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer and a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Mariners.

Higashioka tacked on a two-run blast in the eighth to cut the deficit to 7-3 for his only hit of the evening. Though he's not an everyday player, Higashioka has been swinging the bat well when in the lineup of late, slashing .342/.375/.842 with six homers, 17 RBI and eight runs scored in 40 plate appearances over his last 11 games. He'll continue to split time behind the dish with Luis Campusano despite Higashioka currently swinging a much hotter bat.

O'Hoppe went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Rangers.

O'Hoppe is 15-for-42 (.357) with four homers and nine RBI over his last 12 contests, logging four multi-hit efforts in that span. The catcher twice erased a deficit for the Angels in Tuesday's contest, but they couldn't find the lead. O'Hoppe is up to a .282/.334/.491 slash line with 14 homers, 42 RBI, 41 runs scored and one stolen bases over 297 plate appearances this season.

Bart went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Tuesday's 12-2 win over the Brewers.

Bart blew the game open in the sixth inning with his grand slam, and the Pirates never looked back. It was just his third hit over seven games since he returned from a month-long absence with a left thumb sprain. Bart is slashing .241/.330/.468 with five homers, 17 RBI, nine runs scored and three doubles across 91 plate appearances this season, and he's gaining playing time over Yasmani Grandal -- Tuesday was Bart's fourth straight start.

Heim was scratched from the Rangers' lineup ahead of Tuesday's game versus the Angels due to neck stiffness, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Heim was scheduled to serve as Texas' designated hitter Tuesday, but his neck will force him to sit down for at least one game. Adolis Garcia will instead operate as the DH, while Derek Hill will start in right field and bat ninth.

Campusano isn't in the Padres' lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners.

Tuesday will mark the third time Campusano has missed a start behind the plate since being activated from the injured list Friday. Kyle Higashioka, who has been on a hot streak recently, will once again start at catcher and bat ninth.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

Jeffers and Christian Vazquez have alternated catching duties since the start of June, and Tuesday happens to be Vazquez's turn behind the dish. Jeffers is 7-for-26 with a pair of home runs in his last seven games.