MLB Player News

Higashioka went 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI in Wednesday's 8-5 win against the Nationals.

Higashioka drove in all but two of San Diego's eight runs. He swatted a two-run homer to kick off the scoring in the second inning and capped his offensive outburst with a grand slam in the eighth. The grand slam was the first of Higashioka's career, while the multi-homer effort was his fifth as a big leaguer. He's hitting only .207 on the season but has otherwise provided good production with eight homers and 20 RBI in 32 games.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Rockies.

The 25-year-old backstop extended his hitting streak to seven games, a stretch in which he's batting .407 (11-for-27) with seven RBI. Diaz has yet to go yard since taking a foul tip off his finger and missing a few games earlier this month, but his current hot stretch has pushed his slash line on the season up to .271/.298/.415 with seven homers, 32 runs and 40 RBI in 69 contests.

Fermin went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Marlins.

The Royals' offense was stuck in neutral until the eighth inning, but Fermin capped a five-run outburst with a two-run single. The 29-year-old had been on the bench the prior three games with Michael Massey serving as the DH in his return from a lower-back strain, which kept Salvador Perez behind the plate. But playing time should open up for Fermin again once Massey is ready to resume defensive duties at second base. On the season, Fermin is slashing .294/.340/.434 with four homers, 18 RBI and 21 runs in 48 contests.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The 27-year-old and Christian Vazquez have alternated starts over Minnesota's past 21 games, and that trend will continue after Jeffers went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer Tuesday.

Barnes will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

He'll be making his 22nd start of the season while top backstop Will Smith rests in the series finale. Over 74 plate appearances on the campaign, Barnes is hitting .203 with no home runs and two RBI.

Smith is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the White Sox.

Smith started each of the previous three games at catcher but will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench. Austin Barnes will step in behind the plate Wednesday.

Fry is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

After leaving Sunday's 6-5 win over the Blue Jays earlier due to elbow inflammation, Fry returned to the lineup as a designated hitter for both of the Guardians' first two games in Baltimore, going 2-for-8 with two doubles and an RBI. The Guardians haven't indicated that Fry is dealing with a setback with the elbow, so his absence from the lineup Wednesday is likely just a pre-planned maintenance day.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Baltimore.

Naylor will get some rest in the series finale after he caught both of the Guardians' last two contests while going 4-for-8 with two doubles, one triple, three runs and two RBI. Austin Hedges will pick up the start behind the plate Wednesday.

Raleigh went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and two walks in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Tampa Bay.

The Mariners had gone scoreless through five until Raleigh connected for the deciding hit of the game. His 14th homer of the season ties him for the MLB lead at the position, tied with Shea Langeliers and Adley Rutschman. Raleigh now has two home runs in his last three games after a stretch in which he hit only one over 29 games.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Ruiz will rest up after he started at catcher in each of the Nationals' last four games while going 3-for-13 with a pair of doubles and walks. Drew Millas will get the nod behind the dish in Ruiz's stead.