MLB Player News

Mejia is not in the lineup Friday against the Astros, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 25-year-old and Mike Zunino have alternated starts over the past week, and Mejia will take a seat after going 1-for-4 with a double during Thursday's series finale against the A's.

Garver is entrenched as Minnesota's starting catcher after Ryan Jeffers was optioned to the alternate site Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The 30-year-old has been splitting time with Jeffers throughout the first month of the season, but the veteran will receive the bulk of the starts going forward with the rookie demoted. Garver has a .172/.213/.431 slash line with four home runs, nine RBI, six runs and a 44.3 percent strikeout rate through 18 games, so he may need to improve at the plate to maintain the starting job for the rest of the season. Willians Astudillo will take over the backup job at catcher for the Twins.

Jeffers was optioned to the alternate training site Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old split work behind the plate with Mitch Garver to open the season, but Garver started three of the past four contests and is now locked into the starting role. Jeffers provides better defense but struggled offensively, going 5-for-34 with one double, one RBI, three runs and a 3:18 K:BB in 11 appearances before the demotion. Willians Astudillo will now operate as the secondary backstop for the Twins.

Trevino went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 4-1 win over Boston.

Trevino's sixth-inning bomb -- his first of the season -- gave the Rangers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Prior to Thursday's action, Trevino was in the midst of a 1-for-21, slump although his average is still a respectable .265.

Grandal isn't starting Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Grandal was initially slated to sit out Wednesday's contest before it was rained out, but he'll take a seat for Thursday's matinee instead. Zack Collins will start behind the dish and bat seventh.

Maldonado isn't starting Thursday's game against Seattle, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado has gone hitless with a walk and two strikeouts in nine at-bats across the last three games. Jason Castro will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Vazquez went 1-for-3 with an RBI double in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Mets.

In an old-fashioned pitching duel, Vazquez's run-producing double in the fourth inning was the game's only offense. Though he entered Wednesday's game with no extra-base hits and a .143 average (7-for-49) over a span of 13 games, Vazquez drove a Jacob deGrom fastball the opposite way to score Xander Bogaerts. He's now hit safely in three of his last four games.

Perez went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Pirates.

Perez extended his hitting streak to three games, but he drove in a run and recorded his first multi-hit performance since April 21. The star catcher is hitting .266 with five homers and 13 RBI across 23 games this season.

Hedges has gone 2-for-20 (.100) in his first seven games.

Hedges hasn't seen much playing time as a backup to Roberto Perez. The 28-year-old Hedges has one home run, two RBI and two runs scored this season. He's also struck out in nine of his 23 plate appearances. Perez is a solid defensive backstop whose consistent presence in the lineup leaves Hedges with little opportunity to make an impact.

Bemboom was optioned to the alternate training site Wednesday.

He was serving as the backup catcher while Max Stassi was on the injured list, but with Stassi's activation Wednesday, Bemboom will return to the minors.