MLB Player News

Stassi went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs in the win over the Red Sox on Wednesday.

The catcher homered off Garrett Whitlock in the top of the fifth inning, driving in Jared Walsh in the process. Stassi later scored on a Taylor Ward long ball in the 10th frame. The 31-year-old is now up to three homers on the year, adding eight RBI and 10 runs scored over 55 at-bats. He's also working on a six-game hitting streak, always an added bonus when a catcher can give you that type of production.

Pinto was optioned to Triple-A Durham after Wednesday's 3-0 win over the A's, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pinto appeared in five games since being recalled from Durham on April 22, and he went 3-for-15 with a home run and two RBI. Francisco Mejia (illness) is expected to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday and resume his role as Tampa Bay's No. 2 catcher.

Kirk isn't starting Wednesday against the Yankees.

Kirk started in the last four games and went 3-for-13 with a double, a run, a walk and three strikeouts. Tyler Heineman will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

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

Jeffers started the past two days behind the dish, so he'll be getting some routine maintenance Wednesday while Gary Sanchez picks up a start at catcher. Thanks to the injuries to Miguel Sano (knee), Alex Kirilloff (wrist) and Kyle Garlick (calf), the Twins have been able to find more opportunities to keep Jeffers and Sanchez in the lineup simultaneously, with Sanchez often picking up starts as the designated hitter.

Mejia (illness) is scheduled to rejoin the Rays in Seattle for their upcoming four-game series, and he's expected to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list either Thursday or Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After clearing all COVID-19-related protocols over the weekend, Mejia reported to the Rays' spring facility in Port Charlotte, Fla. to appear in a pair of simulated games. Mejia has apparently looked good since resuming baseball activities, but the Rays will see how he's feeling Thursday before deciding whether to activate him for the start of the series or to give him an extra day of rest. Whenever he's formally reinstated, Mejia will replace Rene Pinto as the No. 2 option behind top catcher Mike Zunino.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Murphy started in three of the past four games, but he went 0-for-7 with five strikeouts and two walks over that stretch to drop his season average to .323. He should see a slight uptick in opportunities following the recent demotion of Cal Raleigh to Triple-A Tacoma, but Luis Torrens looks like Option 1A behind the plate for the Mariners at this time.

Maldonado isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado has gone 0-for-9 with four strikeouts over the last three games, and he'll get a breather in Wednesday's series finale. Jason Castro will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Perez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale versus the Cardinals.

The star catcher will get the day off Wednesday as MJ Melendez slots in behind the plate and will bat seventh. Perez is currently in the middle of a 2-for-34 slump at the plate with 14 strikeouts over that stretch. He'll look to use the extra day of rest to readjust and will presumably be back in the lineup Friday against the Orioles.

Hedges is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hedges is expected to re-enter the lineup for the nightcap Wednesday, but Luke Maile will catch Zach Plesac in the first game of the twin bill.

McGuire went 1-for-3 with an RBI on Tuesday against the Cubs.

McGuire has seen an uptick in playing time of late as Yasmani Grandal has regularly served as the designated hitter due to leg soreness. McGuire had failed to take advantage of the increased opportunity, as he entered Tuesday's action with zero hits across his last 13 at-bats. However, he chipped in with an RBI on a sacrifice bunt in the second frame, and he reached base on an infield single in the ninth inning. McGuire is a defense-first catcher, but he could remain in line for more playing time so long as the team looks to lighten Grandal's workload.