MLB Player News

Realmuto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

The Phillies have the No. 1 wild-card seed locked up, so it's not a surprise Realmuto is on the bench for the regular-season finale. The 32-year-old's .762 OPS in 135 games this year will be the lowest since his first full MLB season in 2015.

Kirk is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rays.

This was essentially a certainty after Toronto clinched a spot in the postseason, as Kirk started 10 of the prior 11 games and could really use a breather. He hit .231 with two home runs, nine runs and 10 RBI in 27 September games.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Yankees.

Perez has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with two homers and seven RBI over six games since returning from the 7-day concussion injured list. His numbers through 139 games this season have largely been in line with what he did in 114 contests in 2022. Perez is slashing .256/.294/.424 with 23 homers, 79 RBI, 59 runs scored and 21 doubles entering the final game of 2023.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

The 32-year-old started the first two games versus Minnesota but will sit for the series and season finale Sunday. Barring an appearance off the bench, Diaz will close the campaign with a .266/.314/.408 slash line with 14 homers and 72 RBI in 140 contests as he enters the final year of his contract in 2024. Austin Wynns is catching for Chase Anderson in the season finale.

Gomes went 1-for-3 with a walk, a grand slam and five total RBI in Saturday's win over the Brewers.

Gomes reached the 10-homer plateau in style, as he blasted a grand slam in the first inning to get the Cubs going. The veteran catcher has been a pleasant surprise this season, as his 63 RBI are his most since he tallied a career-best 74 RBI back in 2014. It remains to be seen what the 36-year-old's role will be in 2024, though he appears to still have a little left in the tank based on this year's performance.

Heim went 1-for-4 with a walk and three RBI in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Mariners.

Heim had a two-run single in the third inning then walked with the bases loaded in the fourth, helping the Rangers to clinch a playoff berth. Texas can clinch the division title with a win in Sunday's season finale, which means an important piece like Heim could start one more game. The catcher's rate statistics fell off following an August wrist injury, but Heim has remained productive as a run producer, delivering 25 runs over 40 games since returning from the injury. For the season, Heim has a .375 batting average, .705 slugging percentage and a 1.117 OPS with runners in scoring position.

O'Hoppe went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Athletics.

O'Hoppe had one of just three hits for the Angels in the game, giving them a short-lived 3-1 lead in the seventh inning. The catcher is up to 14 homers this season, four of which have come over his last 10 games as he finishes the year in good form. He's slashing .238/.284/.503 with 29 RBI, 22 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases over 50 contests this season.

Langeliers went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Angels.

Langeliers' power has surged in September -- he hit six of his 22 homers this season during the month despite batting a meager .194 average (14-for-72) over his last 23 games. The catcher's blast put the Athletics ahead for good Saturday. Langeliers is at a .205/.268/.413 slash line with 63 RBI, 52 runs scored, 19 doubles, four triples and three stolen bases through 135 contests in his first full major-league season.

Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a walk, two home runs, a third run scored and six RBI in an 11-4 win over the Phillies during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

It was a big day for Mets catchers, as Omar Narvaez launched his second homer of the season in the matinee, but Alvarez was the star of the show in the nightcap. The 21-year-old slugged both his long balls off Michael Plassmeyer -- a two-run shot in the second inning and a grand slam in the third, the first of his young career. Alvarez is up to 25 homers in 122 games in his first full big-league season, and his .211/.285/.439 slash line figures to improve as he matures given his 77th percentile barrel rate and 91st percentile max exit velocity in 2023.

Realmuto isn't in the Phillies' lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Realmuto will get a breather to conclude Saturday's activities after going 2-for-3 and with a run during the Game 1 loss. Garrett Stubbs will fill in behind the plate and bat seventh.