MLB Player News

Maldonado will sit Saturday against the Twins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado's 78 starts behind the plate rank sixth at the position this season. His bat hasn't exactly justified that sort of workload, however, as he's hit just .181/.276/.317 on the year. Jason Castro will get the nod in his absence.

Perez (illness) will catch and bat third Saturday against St. Louis.

An illness forced Perez to remain at the team hotel Friday due to COVID-19 protocols. He tested negative for the virus and evidently wasn't dealing with any serious sickness, so he'll return to the lineup after missing just a single day.

Murphy will sit Saturday against Texas.

Murphy has handled a very heavy workload lately, sitting just four times in the last 21 games heading into Saturday's contest. The Athletics' deadline-day acquisition of Yan Gomes should lead to more rest for Murphy going forward, however, as he'll start for the third time in five games Saturday.

Heim will sit Saturday against Oakland.

Heim was emerging as the Rangers' primary catcher throughout most of July, but he's since seen his playing time at the position fall back slightly. He and Jose Trevino, who starts Saturday, have now alternated starts behind the plate over the last eight games, though Heim served as a designated hitter twice during that stretch.

Garver will sit Saturday against Houston.

Garver hits the bench after starting four of the first five games so far in August. He homered twice over that stretch, giving him five home runs in his last 11 games. Ryan Jeffers will start behind the plate in his absence.

Grandal (knee) has been running up the baseline recently, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Grandal had been limited to light activity at the end of July, but he's been able to test his knee more recently through his baserunning drills. The catcher remains without a timetable to return as he continues to recover from left knee surgery, but he's slightly increased his workload recently.

McGuire isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Boston.

McGuire was out of the lineup in Friday's series opener, and he'll remain on the bench in Saturday's matinee. Alejandro Kirk will start at catcher and bat seventh.

Wong was recalled by the Red Sox on Saturday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Wong reported to Triple-A Worcester at the end of July, but he'll rejoin the active roster after J.D. Martinez was placed on the COVID-19 injured list. The 25-year-old has gone 3-for-12 with a double, two runs and seven strikeouts in five major-league games this year.

Zavala isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cubs, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Zavala will get a breather after he went 2-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a strikeout in Friday's series opener. Zack Collins will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Raleigh isn't starting Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Raleigh went 1-for-4 with a double Friday, but he'll retreat to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Tom Murphy will start behind the dish and bat fifth.