MLB Player News

Raleigh went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs in a win over the Rangers on Friday.

The slugging backstop didn't garner any extra-base hits as he's usually prone to do, but Raleigh still came through with a rewarding performance for fantasy managers. The 25-year-old has now reached safely in four straight games, and Friday's performance pushed his average to .203, its highest point since April 14.

Bethancourt went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run Friday against the Orioles.

Bethancourt wasn't in the starting lineup, but he entered the game in the sixth inning and connected on his first homer with the Rays. He's alternated starts with Francisco Mejia since being formally added to the roster and has collected two hits in seven at-bats. For the season, Bethancourt is hitting .250/.298/.398 across 189 plate appearances, and he should benefit from improved lineup context for the rest of the season.

Jeffers was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right thumb contusion.

Jeffers presumably picked up the injury during Thursday's matchup with the White Sox, when he went 1-for-4 with a strikeout. According to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, manager Rocco Baldelli believes the injury is more serious than a typical contusion, so the 25-year-old may be sidelined beyond the 10-day minumum. Gary Sanchez should operate as Minnesota's primary catcher in the meantime, while Caleb Hamilton was called up to fill backup duties.

Stassi isn't starting Friday's game against the Dodgers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stassi started the last four games and went 3-for-16 with a homer, four runs, two RBI, a walk and five strikeouts. Kurt Suzuki is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.

Zavala is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins.

Zavala started the past three games and will take a seat for Friday's contest. Reese McGuire will work behind the plate Friday in Zavala's place.

Jeffers isn't starting Friday against the White Sox.

Jeffers went 2-for-7 with a run, a walk and a strikeout over the last two games and will retreat to the bench Friday. Gary Sanchez is starting behind the plate.

Maldonado will hit the bench Friday against Oakland.

Maldonado is hitting just .167/.237/.324 on the year, but his 64 starts behind the plate rank third at the position. He'll sit here after starting eight of the last nine games, with Korey Lee set to catch for Jose Urquidy.

Jansen will be on the bench Friday against the Royals.

Jansen returned from a fractured hamate bone Tuesday. Since then, he and Alejandro Kirk have alternated starts behind the plate, with Kirk serving as the designated hitter when not asked to catch. Kirk starts behind the plate Friday, pushing Jansen to the bench.

Trevino will sit Friday against the Red Sox.

Trevino will get a breather after he went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Reds. Kyle Higashioka will start at catcher and bat eighth in Friday's series opener.

Heim went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and run scored in Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Mariners.

Heim, who started the last two games after missing Tuesday's contest due to illness, knocked in the second of three runs the Rangers plated in the bottom of the first inning. The RBI gives him 32 over 67 games, tying the career high he set in 2021 over 82 games. Heim is poised to establish new career highs in several categories, as he will serve as the Rangers' primary backstop the rest of the season. The Buffalo native is slashing .267/.320/.480 over 241 plate appearances.