MLB Player News

Sanchez will sit for Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game against Boston.

Gerrit Cole will throw to personal catcher Kyle Higashioka, as he usually does. That leaves Sanchez available to serve as a bat off the bench, and the Yankees should feel comfortable turning to him if necessary, as they've called up Rob Brantly to serve as the third catcher.

Vazquez will be on the bench for Tuesday's wild-card matchup against the Yankees, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Vasquez closed the season on a down note, hitting .161/.206/.290 across his last 12 games. Kevin Plawecki will be the one to catch for Nathan Eovaldi on Tuesday.

Wong made the Red Sox's wild-card roster, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox elected to go with three catchers rather than carry a 13th pitcher or an additional option elsewhere on the field. Wong's addition allows the team to get both Kevin Plawecki and Christian Vazquez into the game if necessary while still having cover behind the plate in the event of an injury, but it's unlikely he sees the field if everyone stays healthy.

Sanchez will likely come off the bench in Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game against the Red Sox, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Kyle Higashioka will start behind the dish with Gerrit Cole on the mound Tuesday, and Sanchez will likely be available off the bench rather than serving as the designated hitter. The 28-year-old appeared in each of the final five games of the regular season and went 0-for-11 with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Higashioka will start Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game against the Red Sox, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Higashioka will draw the start in Tuesday's winner-take-all contest with Gerrit Cole on the mound for the Yankees. The 31-year-old went 1-for-10 with two RBI and four strikeouts across his final three appearances of the regular season.

Stassi is on the bench for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Kurt Suzuki catches and bats cleanup in the regular-season finale. Stassi, barring a plate appearance Sunday, slashed .241/.326/.426 with 13 home runs and 35 RBI in 2021.

Murphy is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Cal Raleigh starts behind the dish in a must-win game for the Mariners, who still have a chance at a wild card berth. Murphy will be available off the bench as a potential pinch hitter or defensive replacement.

Garver is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Ryan Jeffers catches and bats ninth while Garver rests on the final day of the regular season.

Perez is on the bench for Sunday's season finale against the Rangers.

Perez has gone 0-for-6 in his last two games and 6-for-31 in his last 10. Assuming he doesn't enter Sunday's game, he finishes 2021 with an abysmal .149/.245/.319 slash line in 161 plate appearances. Austin Hedges is catching Sunday.

Heim is not starting Sunday's game against Cleveland.

Heim hit his 10th home run of the season Saturday and will finish 2021 hitting .196 with 32 RBI, unless of course he pinch hits Sunday. Jose Trevino is catching and batting eighth.