MLB Player News

Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a triple, three RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Angels.

Jeffers picked up a triple in the sixth inning that traveled 416-feet and would've been a home run in 24 of 30 parks and followed up with a two-run blast in the seventh to put the Twins up 9-3. Although he's been a much more impactful hitter than Christian Vazquez (.841 OPS compared to .597 for Vazquez), the two continue to split time behind the dish, and it's unclear if that would potentially change during the playoffs. For the year, Jeffers is slashing .270/.367/.474 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI, 43 runs and a 32:90 BB:K in 317 plate appearances.

Perez (concussion) went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.

Perez missed just over a week with the concussion he sustained Sept. 16. He ended a 12-game homer drought in his return, blasting an offering from Hunter Brown into the seats in the third inning. It's still been a bit of a down year for Perez, who is batting .252 with a .711 OPS, 22 homers, 74 RBI, 57 runs scored and 20 doubles over 134 contests.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's the second straight game on the bench for Maldonado, though he's still started behind the plate in four of Houston's past seven contests. Yainer Diaz will step in to catch for Hunter Brown on Sunday.

Naylor (thumb) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

The 23-year-old was removed from Friday's contest with a bruised right thumb and will sit Sunday for the second straight game. David Fry will work behind the plate in the series finale versus Baltimore with Naylor banged up.

The Royals reinstated Perez from the 7-day concussion IL on Sunday.

Perez landed on the 7-day IL last Monday after taking a foul tip off his mask, but he will return after a minimum-length stay. He'll bat third and serve as Kansas City's designated hitter in his return Sunday while Logan Porter starts behind the dish. Tyler Cropley was optioned to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.

Heim went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in Saturday's 2-0 win over Seattle.

Heim extended his hit streak to four consecutive games with a run-producing single in the fourth inning. In addition to hits in four straight, Heim has driven in a run in all four. The catcher is 5-for-12 with two doubles, a home run, seven RBI and four runs scored during that stretch. Heim is up to 92 RBI over 123 games on the season.

Naylor (thumb) isn't in Cleveland's lineup Saturday versus Baltimore.

Naylor bruised his right thumb during Friday's game and had to make an early exit in the fifth inning. He'll remain out Saturday, allowing Cam Gallagher to start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Maldonado will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Maldonado is hitting .189/.258/.343 on the season and has graded out five runs worse than any other catcher at framing pitches (per Statcast). Even with rookie backstop Yainer Diaz breaking out to the tune of a .286/.310/.551 slash line, Maldonado remains Houston's primary catcher, though his off day Saturday means he only has a 5-4 advantage in starts over the last nine games.

Kirk will hit the bench Saturday against the Rays.

Kirk augmented his time behind the plate last season with 49 starts at designated hitter, but his bat has dropped off this season to the point that he's been mostly stuck splitting time with Danny Jansen at catcher. He's been back in an expanded role in September with Jansen out with a broken finger, starting eight of the previous nine games, but it will be Tyler Heineman who starts Saturday.

Pinto isn't in the Rays' lineup Saturday against the Blue Jays, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

After going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts across his last two games, Pinto will take a seat Saturday as Christian Bethancourt starts behind the plate and bats eighth.