MLB Player News

Higashioka went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Twins.

Higashioka slammed a two-run homer off Danny Coulombe in the fourth inning. In addition, he drove in Andrew Velazquez on a double in the third inning. The catcher is back to splitting time behind the plate with teammate Gary Sanchez (illness) after Sanchez returned from the injured list Aug. 17. Higashioka is slashing just .181/.256/.403 with eight long balls, 20 RBI and 17 runs scored in 160 plate appearances.

Murphy went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks Thursday against the White Sox.

Murphy kicked off the scoring for the Athletics with his 14th home run of the season. Though it was first homer since July 27, Murphy has produced plenty of late. Across his last eight games, he has seven RBI and four runs scored while also logging four doubles. For the season, Murphy has a .222/.319/.422 line with 37 runs scored and 54 RBI across 370 plate appearances.

Garver is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Garver has a .733 OPS and 37 percent strikeout rate through 12 games in August, and he finds himself on the bench for the second consecutive contest. Ryan Jeffers will work behind the plate for the Twins in the series opener.

Sanchez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Sanchez returned from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday and has gone 2-for-7 with a double, two runs and two strikeouts across two games since then. However, he'll retreat to the bench while Kyle Higashioka starts at catcher and bats eighth.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Sanchez will get a breather for the series opener after he went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs Wednesday in the Yankees' 5-2 win over the Red Sox. Kyle Higashioka spells Sanchez behind the plate.

Rogers (forearm) has a chance to return in mid-September, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Rogers will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Sept. 17, and it looks as though he may be healthy by that point. The Tigers hope he can begin a rehab assignment in approximately three weeks.

Haase (abdomen) caught a bullpen session and took batting practice Thursday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Haase hit the injured list with an abdominal strain earlier in the day, but it doesn't look as though the Tigers are overly concerned about the issue. The team hasn't officially said that he'll be back after a minimum-length stay on the shelf, but the fact that he's already going through baseball activities the same day he hit the injured list seems to hint in that direction.

Maldonado isn't starting Thursday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado started each of the last two games and went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout. Jason Castro will take his place behind the dish and bat eighth.

Raleigh isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Raleigh was in the lineup during each of the last three games and went 3-for-9 with two doubles, two runs and three strikeouts. Tom Murphy will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Zavala isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Zavala went hitless in three at-bats Wednesday and will head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Zack Collins will start at catcher and bat ninth.