MLB Player News

Realmuto is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

It's a day game after a night game, offering a chance to give Realmuto some rest. Garrett Stubbs will catch for Taijuan Walker.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Kirk had started the last three contests but will sit out Thursday with it being a day game after a night game. Tyler Heineman will catch for Kevin Gausman.

Garver (knee) started at catcher and went 1-for-2 with two walks for Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

The Express played a doubleheader Wednesday, so games were only seven innings. Garver caught all seven innings of the afternoon affair, and it's unclear if the Rangers feel that's enough for him to be activated. Garver, who's made 25 plate appearances in six rehab games, played on consecutive days, including nine innings as a DH on Tuesday. Texas is off Thursday, so the organization may give the catcher/DH one more day in the minors before activating him ahead of Friday's series starter against Seattle.

Diaz went 1-for-2 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Twins.

Diaz entered the game in the eighth inning with Houston down eight runs and slugged his second career home run. He continues to get only sporadic playing time behind Martin Maldonado behind the plate, as he's tallied 68 plate appearances despite sticking in the majors for the entire season.

Alvarez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's tilt versus the Phillies, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Alvarez had started six straight but will get a breather Wednesday. Tomas Nido will step in behind the plate, catching for starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Murphy will get a breather for the matinee game after he was behind the plate for the first two contests of the series versus his former team. Travis d'Arnaud will handle catching duties Wednesday.

Langeliers is not in the starting lineup Wednesday versus Atlanta, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Langeliers will get a breather after he went 4-for-13 with a double, three RBI and a run scored while starting the last four games. Carlos Perez will draw the start at catcher and bat fifth as the Athletics go for the sweep over Atlanta.

Murphy went 1-for-1 with a double and a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees before being ejected for arguing a strike call in the sixth inning.

The veteran backstop was upset about a check-swing that was called a strike and was tossed for yelling at the first base umpire. Murphy has logged 66 plate appearances across 21 games while ceding the bulk of playing time behind the dish to Cal Raleigh, and Tuesday marked the third time in his last four starts that he'd reached safely.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Gomes will take a seat for the second time in the series while the Cubs wrap up their three-game set versus Tampa Bay with a matinee contest. Tucker Barnhart will form a battery with starting pitcher Justin Steele on Wednesday.

Haase is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Haase will get a breather in the day game after a night game, paving the way for Jake Rogers to pick up a turn behind the plate. While catching or starting in left field in each of the Tigers' last four contests, Haase went 1-for-14 with two walks, a stolen base and two RBI.