MLB Player News

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

He'll rest up for the series finale after logging starts behind the plate in each of the Astros' previous four games. Christian Vazquez will serve as Houston's catcher Sunday.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Higashioka initially looked primed to serve as the Rangers' No. 1 backstop when Danny Jansen (forearm) landed on the injured list June 6, but the hot-hitting Elias Diaz has instead leapfrogged him on the depth chart. Higashioka will hit the bench for the fifth time in the last eight games, with one of his three starts during that stretch coming at designated hitter.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Contreras started the previous six games and will receive a day off after posting a .231/.286/.231 slash line during that stretch. Gary Sanchez is working behind the plate in the series finale for the Brewers.

Realmuto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto launched a two-run homer during Saturday's contest but will hit the bench Sunday for the second time in the past three games. Garrett Stubbs is picking up a start behind the plate Sunday for Philadelphia.

Crooks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

After he was held out of the lineup for the first two games of the series against lefty starters, the left-handed hitter will remain on the bench even with right-hander Javier Assad on the bump for the Cubs. Crooks looks as though he'll have to settle for a part-time role while the Cardinals continue to carry two other catchers (Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages) on the active roster.

Langeliers (thumb) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Langeliers will miss a second straight start while he tends to a left thumb contusion, but the Athletics are optimistic that a team off day Monday will provide sufficient time for the star catcher to heal up, per MLB.com. Brian Serven will draw the start behind the plate in the series finale with the Marlins.

Basallo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Basallo hasn't started against a lefty since June 3, though including Sunday, Baltimore has faced just five southpaw starters during that stretch. The rookie catcher has a .258/.329/.485 slash line with five homers, 15 RBI and six runs in his past 19 contests. Coby Mayo is batting fifth as the designated hitter in Sunday's series finale versus Nick Lodolo.

Perez (elbow) will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Perez went unused off the bench during the Royals' previous two games while managing a sore elbow, but he's made enough improvement to re-enter the starting nine in a non-defensive capacity. Assuming Perez's elbow provides no complications for him during Sunday's contest, he should be available to make starts at catcher or at first base at some point during the upcoming week.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets will give Alvarez the afternoon off while Luis Torrens starts behind the plate and Juan Soto serves as the designated hitter. Alvarez had started the last seven games, going 5-for-27 (.185) with a solo home run and a 0:11 BB:K.

Torrens will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's game against Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Torrens will fill in behind the plate while Francisco Alvarez rests for the day game. Since MJ Melendez was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse on June 26, the Mets have been giving Alvarez more days off from catching while keeping him in the lineup at designated hitter, which has allowed Torrens to play more frequently than most No. 2 backstops. Torrens has drawn five starts in the Mets' last nine contests.