MLB Player News
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Kyle Teel C | CHW
White Sox's Kyle Teel: Idle in series opener
Teel is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.
After he was rested for Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs in day game after a night game, the left-handed-hitting Teel will remain on the bench Monday since the Phillies are sending a southpaw (Cristopher Sanchez) to the hill. Edgar Quero will handle catching duties for the White Sox in the series opener.
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Nick Fortes C | TB
Rays' Nick Fortes: Moved to Tampa Bay in trade
The Rays acquired Fortes from the Marlins on Monday in exchange for outfielder Matthew Etzel (undisclosed), Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The Rays dealt catcher Danny Jansen to the Brewers earlier Monday and have immediately replaced him with Fortes. Fortes has turned in an underwhelming .225/.277/.344 batting line in parts of five major-league seasons, but the Rays hope to coax more out of him with a change of scenery. In Tampa Bay, the 28-year-old will vie with Matt Thaiss for playing time behind the dish for the rest of the season.
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Kyle Higashioka C | TEX
Rangers' Kyle Higashioka: Not in Monday's lineup
Higashioka (hamstring) is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Angels on Monday.
It'll be the fifth straight game Higashioka will miss while he works through a strained right hamstring, though he could be available off the bench to pinch hit. Jonah Heim will serve behind home plate and bat ninth in Monday's series opener.
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Matt Thaiss C | BOS
Rays' Matt Thaiss: Moved into starting lineup
Thaiss will start at catcher and bat ninth Monday against the Yankees.
Thaiss was originally slated to sit out Monday's series opener, but he has been moved into the lineup after the Rays finalized a trade that sent Danny Jansen to the Brewers. Thaiss will be the team's starting backstop for the moment, though Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic relays that Nick Fortes is set to be acquired from the Marlins. Thaiss has a .641 OPS with one steal, one home run and 16 RBI in 181 plate appearances this season.
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Enrique Jimenez C | MIN
Twins' Enrique Jimenez: Traded to Twins
The Twins acquired Jimenez from the Tigers on Monday in exchange for right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The Tigers will get some rotation help while the Twins get a lottery ticket in Jimenez, who has slashed .250/.339/.440 with six home runs this season in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. The 19-year-old is primarily a catcher but has also spent time at first base.
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Bo Naylor C | CLE
Guardians' Bo Naylor: Getting rest day
Naylor is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.
Naylor will take a seat for the series opener while Austin Hedges catches for right-hander Slade Cecconi on Monday. Since the All-Star break, Naylor has gone 4-for-23 with a home run, two doubles, three walks, three RBI and four runs in seven contests.
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Jacob Stallings C | BAL
Orioles' Jacob Stallings: DFA'd by Baltimore
The Orioles designated Stallings for assignment Monday.
Adley Rutschman (oblique) is back from the 10-day injured list, and the Orioles elected to keep Alex Jackson around over Stallings as Rutschman's backup. Stallings is likely to clear waivers, and if that happens, he would have the ability to elect free agency.
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Adley Rutschman C | BAL
Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Returns from IL
The Orioles activated Rutschman (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at catcher and bat cleanup in the Orioles' series opener versus the Blue Jays.
Rutschman had been shelved with a left oblique strain for more than a month, but he's ready to go following a brief rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. The 27-year-old is sporting a disappointing .227/.319/.372 batting line this season for the Orioles, but given the low offensive bar catchers have to clear, fantasy managers who have Rutschman rostered will want to have him in their lineups this week.
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Alex Jackson C | MIN
Orioles' Alex Jackson: Held hitless Sunday
Jackson went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Rockies.
Jackson picked up his third start behind the dish in four games, with all three starts coming against left-handed pitchers. The 29-year-old backstop had produced four total extra-base hits (two home runs, two doubles) in his last three games, but his batting average dropped down to .269 after the 0-for-3 showing Sunday. Jackson has been sharing time with Jacob Stallings behind the dish, but one of the two could be at risk of losing his roster spot with Adley Rutschman (oblique) due back from the 10-day injured list Monday.
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Tyler Heineman C | TOR
Blue Jays' Tyler Heineman: Taking over as primary catcher
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed after Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Tigers that Heineman will see the majority of the playing time at catcher while Alejandro Kirk (concussion) is on the 7-day injured list, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
After Kirk sustained the concussion Saturday before landing on the shelf a day later, Heineman drew the start Sunday and went 1-for-4 with a double. The journeyman backstop has seen limited starts behind Kirk this season, but he's been productive when called upon, slashing .326/.389/.495 with three home runs and two steals in 106 plate appearances. Until Kirk returns, Heineman could be worthy of a short-term pickup in AL-only leagues and mixed leagues that start two catchers.