MLB Player News

Ford is hitting .215/.414/.308 with a homer and four steals across 18 games this year for Single-A Modesto.

That OBP pops off the page, courtesy of his impressive 23.5 percent walk rate, but Ford is also striking out a lot (27.6 percent). The pop he showed in rookie ball last year hasn't materialized so far this season, and it's worth wondering if or when the Mariners will ultimately move him from behind the plate to better take advantage of his speed. All in all, there's a lot of development left to go for last season's No. 12 overall draft pick, but he's got great upside.

Bethancourt will start at catcher and bat sixth in Thursday's game in Detroit, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With top catcher Sean Murphy receiving a breather on a getaway day, Bethancourt will check in behind the dish after manning first base in Wednesday's 9-0 win. Bethancourt was one of several Oakland hitters to enjoy a big day at the dish in the victory, as he went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI.

Murphy isn't starting Thursday's series finale against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

After starting each of the team's last five games, Murphy will get a breather Thursday. He reached base in all five of those contests, going 5-for-17 with three doubles, five runs and two RBI. Christian Bethancourt will draw the start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Huff started at catcher and went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to Kansas City.

Huff was called up after the Rangers placed Mitch Garver (elbow) on the injured list. The power-hitting prospect will back up Jonah Heim while Garver is unavailable.

Plawecki was ejected from Wednesday's game against Atlanta for arguing balls and strikes, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Plawecki was up to bat with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the sixth inning, and he was ejected after he expressed his displeasure with a called third strike. He went 1-for-3 and was replaced by Christian Vazquez behind the plate.

Vazquez isn't starting Wednesday against the Rangers, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez started in the last three games and went 3-for-12 with a double, two RBI, a run, a walk and three strikeouts during that time. Kevin Plawecki will take over behind the dish and bat eighth Wednesday.

Heim isn't starting Wednesday against the Royals.

The 26-year-old started in the last three games and should serve as the primary catcher with Mitch Garver (elbow) on the injured list. However, Heim will get a breather while Sam Huff starts behind the dish and bats eighth Wednesday.

Wallach went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 12-0 victory versus the Rays.

Wallach's claim to fame in this game will be being behind the plate for Reid Detmers' no-hitter, but the backstop also made an impact on offense with his three-run homer off Corey Kluber in the third inning. This was just his second major-league game of the season, as he has been pressed into action with both Max Stassi and Kurt Suzuki on the COVID-19 injured list. Wallach now four homers over 240 career plate appearances.

Maile will start at catcher and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Maile has provided one double in all four of his starts this season, but the 31-year-old doesn't appear primed for an increased role despite his early success at the dish. He'll be receiving the start at catcher Wednesday due to No. 1 backstop Austin Hedges getting a breather for a day game after a night game.

Hedges isn't starting Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Hedges will get a breather after he went 2-for-11 with an RBI and three strikeouts over the last three games. Luke Maile will start behind the dish and bat eighth.