MLB Player News

Lee is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers.

Yasmani Grandal will start at catcher and bat fifth for the visiting White Sox. Lee, 25, has slashed just .118/.211/.206 through his first 38 plate appearances with Chicago.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 4-3 win over Cincinnati.

Contreras came up with a couple big hits early for the Cardinals, plating a run with a first-inning single and adding a two-run homer in the third. It was the third straight contest with a long ball for the veteran catcher, and he's knocked in exactly three runs in each of those contests. With 19 homers on the year, Contreras needs one more the rest of the way to record his fourth straight full season (excluding the shortened 2020 campaign) with at least 20 long balls.

McCann went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in Saturday's 13-12 victory over the Red Sox.

McCann busted out of his 1-for-19 slump in a big way, blasting a two-run homer in the fourth inning and adding a solo shot in the sixth. Since the All-Star break, the 33-year-old catcher has been in the lineup nearly every other day, batting .267 with three home runs, 18 RBI, 14 runs, and two steals in 28 second-half games (86 at-bats).

Thaiss went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Guardians.

Thaiss has gotten into just three games since returning Sept. 3 from a short trip on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. His homer Saturday was his first hit in nine at-bats during that span. The catcher has nine long balls, 31 RBI, 32 runs scored, two stolen bases and six doubles over 93 contests this year. Thaiss is likely to fill a backup role behind Logan O'Hoppe for the remainder of the year.

Heim will not start Saturday's game against Oakland.

Heim hits the bench for the first time in a week. He's faded down the stretch along with the entire Rangers team, hitting just .177/.227/.258 since returning from a wrist injury in mid-August. Austin Hedges will start behind the plate.

Bethancourt will sit for the second straight game Saturday against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bethancourt has hit just .240/.264/.380 over the last month, striking out 21 times to go with just two walks. Rene Pinto will get another start behind the plate.

Raleigh will be on the bench Saturday against the Rays.

Raleigh has gone 5-for-12 with a pair of homers across his last three games but will hit the bench in favor of Brian O'Keefe. Raleigh's recent hot streak, which includes a 1.085 OPS over his last 16 games, has dragged his wRC+ up to 118, a near match for his 120 wRC+ from last season.

Perez went 3-for-5 with one RBI in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

Perez has a trio of multi-hit efforts over his six games in September, going 8-for-27 (.296) with seven RBI in that span. With Freddy Fermin (finger) going on the injured list for what could be a season-ending injury, Perez will likely move back behind the dish on a more permanent basis. The 33-year-old veteran has a .249/.289/.418 slash line with 21 home runs, 64 RBI, 53 runs scored and 19 doubles over 126 contests in what's been a bit of a down year.

Fermin was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left middle finger Saturday.

The Royals haven't given a timeline for Fermin's return, but given the timing, the injury seemingly has a good chance of being season-ending. If that's the case, Fermin will end the year with a .281/.321/.461 line in 70 games, good for a 107 wRC+. Tyler Cropley was called up to take his place on the roster and provide additional catching depth.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup Saturday against the Twins.

Alvarez will take a seat Saturday after going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's series opener. Omar Narvaez will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.