MLB Player News

Jeffers will start at catcher and bat seventh Wednesday against the Cubs.

Though he'll get the starting nod behind the dish in the series finale in Chicago, Jeffers is expected to see a drop in playing time over the final week and a half of the season after No. 1 backstop Mitch Garver was reinstated from the injured list Tuesday. While Garver was on the shelf, Jeffers slashed .156/.206/.281 with two home runs, seven runs and five RBI over a stretch of 21 games.

Garver is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Garver returned from a month-long stay on the injured list to start behind the plate in Tuesday's 9-5 win, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. He's expected to serve as Minnesota's No. 1 catcher for the final week and a half of the season, but Garver will cede his spot in the lineup Wednesday to Ryan Jeffers.

Sanchez isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Sanchez will get a breather after he went 1-for-7 with a solo home run, a walk and two strikeouts across the last two games. Kyle Higashioka will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Heim isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Heim has gone 0-for-11 with an RBI, a stolen base and five strikeouts across his last three appearances, and he'll be out of the lineup for a second straight game. Jose Trevino will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Kirk will get a breather for the matinee game after catching both of the first two contests of the series while going hitless across seven at-bats. Reese McGuire will replace Kirk behind the plate.

Maldonado went 1-for-2 with two walks, a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 10-5 win over the Angels.

Maldonado showed off his power stroke once again against the Angels, homering in the first two games of the series. Houston's catcher is on a modest roll, hitting in four straight games while going 5-for-13 with two home runs and four RBI.

Moreno (thumb) will be activated from the 7-day injured list and promoted to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.

Moreno has been rehabbing in the Florida Complex League in recent weeks after being sidelined since late June with a thumb fracture. With his rehab assignment set to end, the backstop will also be receiving his first promotion to Triple-A after slashing an impressive .373/.441/.651 to begin the campaign with Double-A New Hampshire. A strong start with Buffalo could go a long way in boosting Moreno's case for an early-2022 big-league call-up.

Gallagher (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against Cleveland.

Gallagher moved to the injured list Sept. 5 with left knee inflammation, but he was able to begin a rehab stint with Triple-A Omaha over the weekend. He went 2-for-7 with one RBI and two runs scored across two games. With Sebastian Rivero being optioned to open up a spot on the 28-man roster, Gallagher will serve as Salvador Perez's lone backup during the final 11 games of the season.

Garver (back) is starting at catcher and batting ninth in his return from the injured list Tuesday against the Cubs.

Garver was activated from the 10-day injured list earlier Tuesday and now the backstop is officially penciled in for his first big-league action since Aug. 24. He resumes his campaign with a .242/.352/.527 slash line, 13 homers and 29 RBI across 61 games.

Heim is not starting Tuesday against the Yankees.

The backstop has just three hits in 29 at-bats since returning from the COVID-19 list Sept. 3. Jose Trevino draws the start at catcher and will bat eighth Tuesday.