MLB Player News

Jansen is out of the lineup again Wednesday against the Phillies.

Alejandro Kirk will get a second straight start at catcher despite going 0-for-4 versus the Phillies on Tuesday. Jansen suffered a right hand contusion last Thursday but returned to action Sunday. It's possible he's still battling some discomfort.

Naylor is out of the lineup Wednesday at Cincinnati.

Cam Gallagher will start at catcher and bat ninth with left-hander Andrew Abbott readying to toe the slab for the Reds. Naylor has slashed .222/.263/.278 in only 19 plate appearances versus southpaws this year.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Jeffers will hit the bench after he went 4-for-21 with four walks while starting each of the last six games at either catcher or designated hitter. Though Jeffers appears to have at least temporarily emerged as the Twins' top backstop, Christian Vazquez will get the nod behind the plate for the series finale.

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

Haase had started in three of the last four games -- two at catcher and one in left field -- but he'll head to the bench Wednesday as Jake Rogers and Akil Baddoo step in at those respective positions. The Tigers still appear to view Haase primarily as a catcher, and Rogers should remain the team's preferred option behind the plate given Haase's season-long struggles. Among the 275 players in the majors with at least 250 plate appearances this season, Haase ranks 274th with a 44 wRC+.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Tuesday against the Marlins.

Diaz drew the start behind the dish for the third time in Houston's last six games. He has earned that increase in playing time at the plate, as he's maintained a .299 batting average with six homers, 20 RBI and 12 runs scored across 77 at-bats since the All-Star break. Diaz has also gotten sporadic looks at designated hitter, even since the return of Yordan Alvarez.

O'Hoppe (shoulder) had his minor-league rehab assignment moved from Single-A Inland Empire to Triple-A Salt Lake City on Tuesday.

O'Hoppe kicked off his rehab stint last week and played six games at Single-A, slashing .316/.409/.474 with three doubles, three RBI, four runs and a 3:5 BB:K. The rookie catcher hasn't seen action for the Angels since tearing the labrum in his left shoulder in a game against the Yankees on April 20. Due to the long layoff, O'Hoppe is expected to need 1-to-2 more weeks before he's ready to be activated. When he returns, he should regain his role as the primary catcher for the Angels, as both Matt Thaiss and Chad Wallach have struggled in his stead.

Higashioka is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta.

Higashioka has a .683 OPS through nine games in August and will begin Tuesday's contest in the dugout. Ben Rortvedt will step in behind the plate to catch for Luis Severino.

Thaiss is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Thaiss is 3-for-26 through 10 games in August and will hit the bench for Tuesday's contest. Chad Wallach will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.

Vazquez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

It's the second straight game on the bench for Vazquez, who has a .259/.271/.397 slash line in 17 contests since the All-Star break. Ryan Jeffers is working behind the plate and batting sixth Tuesday.

Rogers is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game at Minnesota.

Rogers has a .551 OPS through 11 games in August and will take a seat Tuesday for the second time in Detroit's past three contests. Eric Haase will work behind the plate and bat ninth.