MLB Player News

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and three RBI in Sunday's 12-6 win over Houston in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Grandal cut the White Sox's deficit to 5-3 in the third inning, when he drove a fly ball 359 feet to left field that barely cleared the fence for a two-run home run. The backstop was then at the center of a pivotal play for Chicago with the game tied at 6-6 in his next at-bat an inning later. After he hit a grounder to first base, Grandal was hit by the ball on a throw home by the Astros' Yuli Gurriel that scored Luis Robert, with officials ruling the play an error rather than interference on Grandal's part. Robert's run gave the White Sox a 7-6 lead, and Chicago didn't look back after that to secure its first win of the series.

Vazquez went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Rays in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Vazquez came off the bench in Sunday's matchup but still saw plenty of work since the game lasted 13 innings. His walkoff homer in the 13th frame was his first long ball of the postseason, and he's now gone 4-for-13 with a homer, four RBI and two runs across four appearances since the playoffs began.

Vazquez is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the ALDS versus the Rays on Sunday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Vazquez went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run in the Game 2 victory, but he'll head to the bench for Sunday's Game 3. Kevin Plawecki will take over behind the plate for Boston.

Stubbs has been included on the Astros' ALDS roster, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs was sent to the minors in mid-September but will serve as a third catcher in the ALDS against the White Sox. He appeared in just three games during his stint at Triple-A Sugar Land and went 0-for-6 with three runs, five walks and two strikeouts.

Wong isn't on Boston's ALDS roster, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Wong didn't appear off the bench in Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game against the Yankees, and he'll be unavailable for the series against the Rays. Christian Vazquez will serve as the primary catcher, while Kevin Plawecki will be available as depth.

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.