MLB Player News

Higashioka (oblique) took at-bats and caught in a simulated game at the Yankees' alternate training site Thursday, Conor Foley of the Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

Higashioka has been out since Aug. 8 with a strained right oblique. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Aug. 19 that the backstop wasn't close to returning, but an additional week of recovery seems to have pushed Higashioka to the brink of rejoining the team. Assuming Thursday's session went off without a hitch, Higashioka should come off the injured list in the near future. He would presumably resume his backup role to Gary Sanchez upon his return.

Trevino started at catcher and batted third, going 1-for-4 in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Athletics.

Trevino, who started the season batting in the lower third of the order, was moved up the three hole, a spot where the Rangers need production. The team's No. 3 hitters went into Wednesday's game slashing .137/.183/.205. He posted an .893 OPS in eight games while batting eighth or ninth, so Trevino became the sixth No. 3 hitter tried this season. Joey Gallo would appear to solve the issue for the Rangers, but manager Chris Woodward told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com that he doesn't feel comfortable there. "I'm hoping that we eventually get to that point, where he feels really, really comfortable about being in that spot," Woodward said. "Maybe it isn't the best spot for him. There is a comfort factor, obviously, when you're a major league hitter."

Thole is traveling with the Yankees as part of their taxi squad, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Thole began the season near the bottom of the team's catching depth chart, but an injury to Kyle Higashioka (oblique) and the retirement of Chris Iannetta has catapulted Thole to taxi-squad status. Though he's unlikely to be activated barring injury or illness to either Gary Sanchez or Erik Kratz, Thole will likely accompany the team on road trips until Higashioka is able to return. The Yankees' acquisition of Rob Brantly on Wednesday does cast some question about Thole's place on the depth chart moving forward, however.

Gallagher went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run during Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

Gallagher got the Royals on the board by launching his first long ball of the season with a two-run shot off Dakota Hudson in the third inning. Across 11 games, the 27-year-old backstop is slashing .318/.423/.545 with four runs scored and a pair of RBI.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Orioles.

Perez delivered his first home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth inning to supply the game-winning run. The start was Perez's first since August 21. Through 38 plate appearances this season, he is hitting .171/.211/.257.

Sanchez isn't in the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

Sanchez went hitless in three at-bats during the Yankees' Game 1 loss, and he'll take a seat for the second game of the twin bill. Erik Kratz will start behind the dish in his place.

Jansen isn't in Wednesday's lineup against the Red Sox.

Jansen broke a seven-game hitless streak with two hits in Tuesday's contest, but he'll take a seat Wednesday. Reese McGuire will start behind the plate in his place.

Heim went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run in a win over the Rangers on Tuesday, his major-league debut.

The rookie backstop didn't let his bottom-of-the-order slotting prevent him from making an impact in his first big-league game. Heim scored his first run as major leaguer in somewhat unorthodox fashion, as he crossed the plate after Mark Canha was plunked by a pitch in the seventh inning. Heim had been impressing since spring training, and anticipation is high for what he might able to accomplish at this level after slashing .358/.412/.557 in 119 plate appearances at Triple-A Las Vegas last season.

Nola went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's win over the Padres.

He did not enter the season with catcher eligibility (at least not in most leagues), but Nola gained it early on and has been among the top fantasy contributors at that position so far. The 30-year-old is up to a .315 average and .920 OPS through 25 games. Nola has been locked into the five hole for Seattle and Tom Murphy (foot) remains out indefinitely.

Garver (right intercostal strain) will not return from the IL when eligible this weekend, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. "I wouldn't say this is a quick, get to the end of 10 days, get ready to go," said president of baseball operations Derek Falvey. "We were hopeful of that, but he's remained a little bit sore."

Ryan Jeffers and Alex Avila will continue to split catching duties with Garver out. It sounds like there's a risk Garver may be out until mid-September.