MLB Player News

Higashioka is out of the lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Higashioka finds himself on the bench for the second straight day, while Gary Sanchez has now started five of the past seven games behind the plate.

Rortvedt was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

The 23-year-old received his first big-league promotion at the end of April and went 4-for-25 in 12 games during his first stint in the majors. Rortvedt could rejoin the Twins for catching depth later in the season, but Mitch Garver and Willians Astudillo will handle the work behind the plate for now.

Garver went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and three strikeouts as Minnesota defeated Los Angeles 6-3 in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader.

Garver's third-inning home run off reliver Hunter Strickland rescued an otherwise poor outing as he struck out in each of his other at-bats. The game raised his average to an even .200 as the backstop looks to make strides toward regaining his 2019 form.

Maldonado went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-4 win over Oakland.

Maldonado contributed an RBI double in the third inning before scoring on a Michael Brantley single. The catcher added a two-run homer in the fourth. He had gone 0-for-7 over the last two games, so this was a good time to stop the skid. Maldonado owns a .157/.229/.287 slash line with three homers, eight RBI and nine runs scored across 118 plate appearances as Houston's primary catcher.

Godoy had his contract selected by the Mariners on Thursday.

The Mariners made a flurry of roster moves at catcher, as Luis Torrens was sent to Triple-A Tacoma and Jacob Nottingham was claimed off waivers. Godoy will replace Torrens in Seattle and is set to make his major-league debut. Across 119 plate appearances at the highest level of the minors, Godoy has hit .315/.370/.481 -- though that production came in a hitter-friendly environment.

Garver (knee) is starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Garver missed the last three games due to a right knee contusion, but he'll be back in action for the second half of the twin bill. Garver will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Sanchez (hamstring) is starting Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Sanchez left Tuesday's game against the Rangers with left hamstring cramps and didn't play Wednesday. However, he'll start behind the dish and bat sixth in Thursday's series finale against Texas.

Garver (knee) isn't starting Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Garver will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game, and it's not yet clear whether he could be available for the second game of the twin bill. Willians Astudillo will start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Trevino isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

Trevino went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Wednesday's loss to the Yankees and will take a seat for the second time in the last three games. Jonah Heim will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Vazquez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Toronto.

The catcher produced an RBI with a groundout in the first inning. He also added a solo shot in the eighth. Vazquez is slashing .252/.301/.363 with three homers, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored and four stolen bases through 146 plate appearances this year. He's trimmed his strikeout rate to 17.8 percent this year compared to 22.8 percent last year, but it hasn't led to any extra success at the plate.