MLB Player News

The Mariners optioned Raleigh to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Though Raleigh received the start behind the dish Opening Day, he's essentially been part of a three-way timeshare at catcher with Tom Murphy and Luis Torrens throughout the season. He didn't make consecutive starts over any of the Mariners' first 18 contests of the season, appearing in nine games in total while going 2-for-24 with a 32.1 percent strikeout rate. Raleigh should receive more consistent playing time at Tacoma, while his demotion clears the way for both Murphy and Torrens to take on larger roles behind the plate at the big-league level.

Jeffers went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI during Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Tigers.

Jeffers extended the Twins' lead to 4-0 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth. He added an RBI double in the seven, marking his second multi-hit game and his first multi-RBI outing of the season. The backup catcher is currently slashing .214/.298/.726.

The Rangers will call Huff up from Triple-A Round Rock prior to Thursday's game against the Astros, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Huff is expected to be up with the Rangers on a short-term basis while Jonah Heim is out on paternity leave. Huff is slashing .241/.302/.431 over 63 plate appearances at Round Rock this season.

The Rangers are expected to place Heim on the paternity list Thursday, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Heim, who went 1-for-3 with a double during Wednesday's loss to Houston, has provided good value thus far and is getting ample opportunities while starter Mitch Garver receives semi-regular playing time at designated hitter. Sam Huff will be called up to replace Heim for the next few days.

Garver went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Astros.

Garver produced the first run of the game for the Rangers with a solo shot to left field in the second inning. The long ball was his first since Opening Day. The backstop recently endured a six-game 0-for-19 skid but has now registered at least one hit in three of his past four contests.

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Wednesday against the Royals.

Grandal is playing through soreness in his legs so was limited to designated hitter duties. However, he still had a productive day at the plate and is now in the midst of a modest four-game hitting streak. It is worth noting that Grandal was removed in favor of a pinch runner in the bottom of the eighth inning, though that could be due to his lack of speed rather than an indication of injury.

Hedges is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Hedges started the past four games and will take a seat after going 2-for-11 with a two-run home run during that stretch. Luke Maile will start behind the plate in his absence Wednesday.

Sanchez (abdomen) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

He'll remain on the bench for a sixth consecutive game while he contends with abdominal tightness. However, manager Rocco Baldelli said the catcher is working out on the field prior to Wednesday's matchup, and he's hopeful that Sanchez will be able to return to the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Tigers, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Maldonado will receive some routine maintenance after catching four of the Astros' past five games. Jason Castro will step in behind the dish Wednesday to form a battery with starting pitcher Cristian Javier.

Barnhart isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Barnhart will get a breather after he went 2-for-6 with a double, two runs and two strikeouts in his last two appearances. Eric Haase will start behind the dish and bat eighth.