MLB Player News

McCann (hand) isn't in the Orioles' lineup Thursday against Toronto, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

McCann took a 98-mph fastball to his left hand during Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays, and he ended up sitting out Wednesday's game as well. Luckily, McCann said his hand is feeling much better, and he could potentially come off the bench Thursday if need be, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.

Kirk isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday against the Orioles.

Kirk is just 2-for-18 across his last five games, so the Jays will give him a day off to regroup Thursday. Danny Jansen will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

The White Sox are swapping out catchers, replacing Perez with Korey Lee. Perez has managed just a .611 OPS over 18 games during his time with the big club this season.

Lee was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Acquired from the Astros in the Kendall Graveman trade, Lee has batted .278/.325/.386 with five home runs and 13 stolen bases over 357 plate appearances at the Triple-A level in 2023. It's been a significant power drop-off after he slugged 25 homers in the minors last season, but Lee still has the potential to be an above-average hitting catcher who also offers some rare speed at the position. It's possible he receives regular at-bats down the stretch as the White Sox turn the page to 2024.

Diaz went 3-for-5 with one RBI in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Diaz extended his hitting streak to seven games, a span in which he's gone 12-for-31 (.387) with three home runs and seven RBI. The 24-year-old has seen a bit more playing time this week with Yordan Alvarez (finger) battling an injury. Diaz is up to a .286/.302/.541 slash line with 18 home runs, 18 doubles, 46 RBI and 37 runs scored across 82 contests this season. He continues to provide cover at catcher, designated hitter and first base.

Maldonado went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Maldonado is hitting .234 (11-for-47) in August, with four extra-base hits and eight RBI across 15 contests. That's a better average than his .180 mark for the year, and he's at a poor .568 OPS even with the improved power output of late. The veteran catcher has added 26 RBI, 25 runs scored, 10 homers and 10 doubles through 93 contests as the Astros' top backstop.

O'Hoppe isn't in the Angels' lineup for the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against Cincinnati, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

After a 1-for-5 effort in the first half of the twin bill, O'Hoppe will get a breather to close out Wednesday's action. Matt Thaiss will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that McCann is day-to-day with a bruised left hand, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

McCann was struck in the hand by a 98-mph fastball during the Orioles' loss to the Blue Jays on Tuesday, though he finished out the entire 10-inning game behind the plate. He's not playing Wednesday but should be able to avoid the injured list and remain active as the backup to star catcher Adley Rutschman.

Bethancourt will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Though he's hitting .300 with a .756 OPS in August, Bethancourt's standing atop the depth chart at catcher may still be somewhat shaky. He was on the bench for four of the previous six games while the Rays opted to give Rene Pinto more work behind the dish. Bethancourt's longer track record should be enough to make him the Rays' nominal No. 1 catcher, and both he and Pinto will no longer be threatened by Francisco Mejia (knee), who was designated for assignment Tuesday after being reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

Pinto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pinto had started behind the dish in three of the Rays' last four games, going 3-for-11 with a home run and four RBI. Despite the uptick in playing time of late, Pinto is still expected to serve as the Rays' No. 2 catcher behind Christian Bethancourt, who is back behind the dish Wednesday. Pinto should still have a decent amount of job security on the major-league roster after the Rays designated Francisco Mejia (knee) for assignment Tuesday upon reinstating him from the 10-day injured list.