MLB Player News

Gomes is out of Saturday's lineup against the Royals, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

He just barely plays enough to be considered the starting catcher, but it's essentially a pretty even timeshare with Roberto Perez. Gomes has six RBI and four hits in his last two games, but Perez will start behind the dish and hit ninth.

Vazquez is out of Saturday's lineup against the Yankees, Scott Lauber of ESPN.com reports.

He has started three of the last four games and is coming off a 3-for-3 effort in which he hit a home run and scored three times. Sandy Leon will start behind the dish and hit eighth.

Higashioka (back) was activated off the 7-day DL at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

The catcher ended up missing just about two months with the ailment, and after a brief rehab assignment at the lower levels of the minors, he was back behind the plate Friday for the Triple-A squad. Higashioka is hitting .333 with seven home runs in 19 games at all levels of the minors this season, and he figures to remain the top replacement option behind the plate if the Yankees need an extra catcher.

Sanchez went 1-for-5 with a solo homer Friday against the Red Sox.

Sanchez ripped his 23rd bomb of the year to pull the Yankees even in the seventh inning of a divisional loss. He's absolutely on fire, as he's homered six times over his last 10 games, and his yearly totals continue to make him an extremely valuable fantasy option at the catcher position.

Garver could see time in left field, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

While he wasn't making any concrete lineup plans, manager Paul Monitor said he wouldn't hesitate to put Garver in left field if the situation arose. Garver does have some slight experience in the outfield, starting 14 games there this season with Triple-A Rochester despite never playing there in any lower levels.

Garver will be called up by the Twins from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage reports.

The backstop's former collegiate coach congratulated him, and his family is traveling to watch his debut, so that's just as good a confirmation as any. He has smashed opposing pitching with a .291/.387/.541 line, 17 home runs and 45 RBI across 372 plate appearances for the Red Wings. Upon his arrival, Garver, 26, will be listed as the third catcher (assuming the Twins keep Chris Gimenez) but may have the inside track at regular playing time as the designated hitter, especially with Robbie Grossman (thumb) on the disabled list.

Nicholas went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and three RBI in Thursday's 9-8 win over the White Sox.

Nicholas hit a two-run shot in the first inning and forced in what turned out to be the winning run on a bases-loaded walk in the seventh. The catcher has now homered in each of his past two games played while driving in six runs over that span. Nicholas has already made six starts behind the plate this month and will take an even larger share of the work away from Robinson Chirinos if he continues to produce at the dish.

Sanchez went 2-for-5 with a home run during the Yankees' win against the Mets on Thursday.

Sanchez had Steven Matz's number in this one, taking him deep with two runners on in the first before forcing the Mets to take their pitcher out on a two-run single in the fourth. The home run makes it 22 on the year, which leads all big-league catchers.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Twins.

Gomes will head to the bench after going 3-for-3 with a homer and four RBI in Game 1. Roberto Perez will take over behind the dish in his stead, batting eighth.

Murphy, 22, is hitting .212/.275/.288 with two home runs and 17 RBI in 39 games since being promoted to Double-A Midland.

The question for Murphy is whether he can hit for average at the higher levels. He performed admirably at High-A Stockton prior to the promotion, slashing .297/.343/.527 with nine home runs and 26 RBI in 45 games. He has some power from the right side, but his plate discipline leaves something to be desired. The A's seem to like Bruce Maxwell behind the dish, so it remains to be seen where Murphy fits long-term.