MLB Player News

Kirk isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants.

Kirk will get a break Tuesday after going 0-for-7 with a walk across his last two starts. Brandon Valenzuela will replace him behind the plate and bat fifth.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz will take a seat Tuesday after starting five of the previous six games and going 4-for-18 with two homers and five RBI during that span. Christian Vazquez is starting behind the plate and batting ninth for Houston.

Langeliers (thumb) will start at catcher and bat third in Tuesday's contest versus the Tigers.

Langeliers missed the last two games while dealing with a left thumb contusion, but he's ready to roll following the team off day Monday. He and his teammates will be taking on southpaw Tarik Skubal in the series opener.

The Athletics optioned Serven to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old was called up by the A's on Saturday with Shea Langeliers (thumb) banged up, but the latter is apparently feeling well enough for the big club to move forward with two catchers on the roster. Serven went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in his lone appearance in the majors. He'll now return to Las Vegas, where he has an .897 OPS with seven homers in 53 games this year.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 12-11 loss to the Nationals.

Diaz did damage on a Miles Mikolas sinker, lacing a two-run homer to left field in the third inning. It marked Diaz's second straight game with a homer after he went deep Saturday before resting in Sunday's series finale against the Rays. On the year, the catcher is hitting .242/.267/.386 with five homers, 21 RBI and 15 runs scored across 40 games.

Perez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a double during the Royals' 15-1 win over the Phillies on Monday.

The Royals jumped on Cristopher Sanchez for nine runs through four innings, with Perez chipping in with a solo homer off the All-Star left-hander in the second frame. It was the 11th home run of the season for Perez and first since June 18. It's a good sign for the Royals to see the veteran catcher display his power Monday, especially after he missed three-straight games due to a sore elbow.

Maile went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run, one walk and an additional run scored during the Royals' 15-1 win over the Phillies on Monday.

The Royals jumped ahead with six runs in the first inning, which was capped off by Maile's three-run long ball off All-Star southpaw Cristopher Sanchez. It was Maile's first major-league game of the season after his contract was selected from Triple-A Omaha by the Royals on Thursday. The veteran catcher could see some reps behind home plate on days when Carter Jensen is not in the lineup, as Salvador Perez is being limited to DH duties while managing a sore elbow.

Feduccia is absent from the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Yankees.

The lefty-swinging Feduccia started four of the previous five contests versus right-handed pitching, but he'll take a seat Monday as the Yankees send righty Cam Schlittler to the mound. Nick Fortes will do the catching and bat seventh in the series opener.

Triple-A Norfolk placed Willems on its 7-day injured list Thursday due to a left hamstring injury, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Willems has been serving as Norfolk's top backstop this season, compiling a .261/.359/.449 slash line with 14 home runs through his first 69 games before landing on the shelf. The Orioles haven't revealed a timeline for Willems' return, but he'll most likely be held out of action through the All-Star break.

Jensen is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest against the Phillies.

It's a well-earned day of rest after Jensen started each of the previous 16 contests. The Royals will turn to Luke Maile at catcher in the series finale.