MLB Player News

Fortes is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.

Fortes started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he'll get some rest in Wednesday's finale. Hunter Feduccia will be behind the dish and bat seventh for Tampa Bay.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

After starting in each of Houston's last five games, Diaz will get a much-needed breather as the Astros wrap up their series in Colorado with a day game after a night game. Christian Vazquez will handle catching duties Wednesday.

Heineman will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Heineman won the Blue Jays' backup catching role coming out of spring training, but he doesn't look like he'll see the overwhelming majority of the starts behind the plate after top backstop Alejandro Kirk fractured his left thumb Friday and later underwent surgery. Since Kirk went down with injury, Heineman has logged three starts at catcher, while the newly recalled Brandon Valenzuela has started twice. Heineman has been productive in a limited sample with a .795 OPS over 16 plate appearances this season, but until he takes on a larger volume of playing time, he likely won't warrant much intrigue outside of AL-only leagues.

Basallo is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the White Sox.

After starting six of the first seven games of the season, Basallo has been in the lineup just twice over the past five games and has not started consecutive games over that span. The young slugger has gotten off to a sluggish start, going 5-for-30 with a 38.2 percent strikeout rate. Pete Alonso will be in the designated hitter slot Wednesday and Ryan Mountcastle will start at first base for the Orioles.

Quero is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Orioles.

Quero served as the White Sox's catcher in each of the previous three games, so he will get some rest during Wednesday's matinee. Reese McGuire is doing the catching and batting eighth for the Pale Hose.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Naylor will take a seat for the second straight day with the Royals sending another lefty (Cole Ragans) to the hill for the series finale. Austin Hedges will catch for starting pitcher Joey Cantillo on Wednesday.

Higashioka went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer during the Rangers' 3-2 win over the Mariners on Tuesday.

Higashioka gave the Rangers the lead for good in the fifth inning, when he took George Kirby deep to left-center field for a two-run homer for his first long ball of the season. It was Higashioka's fourth start behind home plate in 11 games, and for now, it looks like he is the clear second option at catcher behind Danny Jansen to open the 2026 season.

O'Hoppe isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta.

O'Hoppe will get a chance to rest after going 2-for-11 with two RBI and two runs scored over his last four games. Travis d'Arnaud will grab a start behind the plate and bat eighth.

Kirk underwent surgery Tuesday to have a screw inserted into his fractured left thumb and is expected to be sidelined about six weeks, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Kirk sustained the injury Friday when he was struck in the thumb by a foul tip, and the Blue Jays didn't waste any time placing him on the injured list. The 27-year-old should be able to rejoin the active roster in mid-May, assuming his recovery progresses as expected. Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela will handle the catching duties for Toronto in the meantime.

Single-A Lakeland placed Oliveto on the 60-day injured list with a left great toe fracture, Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline reports.

Oliveto is completing rehab daily, and he will be making his pro debut whenever he is cleared to return. The Tigers selected Oliveto out of high school with the No. 34 overall pick in last year's draft.