MLB Player News

Wallach is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the A's, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Wallach started the past four games but will head to the bench Sunday with Kurt Suzuki (illness) back from the COVID-19 injured list. Wallach should serve as the Halos' No. 2 catcher until Max Stassi (illness) also makes his return.

Higashioka (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Sunday.

Higashioka will now step away from the team until he clears the league's testing protocols. Rob Brantly will join the big-league roster in a corresponding move and could start Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader since Jose Trevino is behind the plate for the matinee.

The Yankees transferred Rortvedt (knee) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Rortvedt, who has been on the shelf all season, recently underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery and may not be available until after the All-Star break, so the move to the 60-day IL won't affect his recovery timeline. Instead, the transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for fellow catcher Rob Brantly, who re-signed with the Yankees and had his contract selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when New York placed backstop Kyle Higashioka on the COVID-19-related injured list prior to Sunday's doubleheader with the White Sox.

Rutschman went 1-for-3 with a triple and a walk in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Rays.

Rutschman only had to wait until his third plate appearance to get his first big-league hit, and it was a rare triple for the catcher. He had only three career triples and four stolen bases during his short rise through the minors, so he shouldn't be expected to be much of a speed threat. He'll get to rest his legs Sunday -- the top prospect is batting fifth as the designated hitter in the series finale versus the Rays.

Heim is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Houston.

The 26-year-old started the past four games and will receive a day off in the series finale versus the Astros. Mitch Garver has returned from the injured list but is limited to serving as the designated hitter, so Heim will continue to work as Texas' primary catcher while Sam Huff, who is starting Sunday, operates as the No. 2 option.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Jeffers is 3-for-7 with a double, a walk, two RBI and three runs in his last two contests but will take a seat for the second time in Minnesota's past three games. Gary Sanchez will work behind the plate while Kyle Garlick serves as the designated hitter.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Kirk is 4-for-19 with two doubles, four walks, two RBI and a run over his past seven contests and will head to the bench Sunday for the second time in the past three games. Danny Jansen will take over behind the plate and bat seventh.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Vazquez will receive some maintenance after he caught each of Boston's last four games while going a collective 5-for-14 with a double, three RBI and a run. Kevin Plawecki will step in for Vazquez behind the plate, forming a battery with starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi.

Thaiss (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list for Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Thaiss has been out for two weeks with an unspecified issue, but he's good to go again now. He hit a modest .226/.300/.452 in 17 games prior to the injury and probably has to show more than that if he's to push for a return to the majors.

Rutschman is starting at catcher and batting sixth Saturday against the Rays.

Rutschman's contract was selected by the Orioles on Saturday, and he'll bat sixth during his major-league debut. The 24-year-old appeared in 19 minor-league games to begin the year and slashed .309/.427/.515 with three homers, five doubles, 12 runs and nine RBI. The highly touted prospect is in line to serve as the Orioles' everyday catcher now that he's on the big-league roster.