MLB Player News

Sanchez (elbow) is starting at catcher and hitting eighth Thursday against the Phillies.

Sanchez won't be forced to miss any time after getting hit by a pitch on his elbow Wednesday. The backstop is looking to turn things around following a slow start to the season (2-for-27 with 16 strikeouts through nine appearances).

Stassi went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in a loss to Seattle on Wednesday.

Stassi provided the first run of the game with a 425-foot blast to center field in the third inning. The backstop has been a surprising source of power for the Angels this season, collecting three homers and six RBI in 18 at-bats. By comparison, Stassi hit only one long ball in 132 at-bats between the Astros and Angels in 2019.

Leon is not in the starting lineup Thursday against the Reds.

Leon will head to the bench after starting three straight games behind the dish, going 0-for-8 with a 2:4 BB:K in the process. Beau Taylor is starting at backstop in this one.

Thaiss was optioned to the team's alternate camp site Thursday.

Thaiss has appeared in five games for the Angels this season (starting three), going 2-for-10 with a pair of runs scored. He'll move to Los Angeles' satellite camp with the team shaving its roster size down to 28.

Nola is not starting Thursday against the Angels.

Nola will head to the bench for Thursday's matinee contest after playing all nine innings during Wednesday night's win, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and a run scored in the process. Joe Hudson is starting behind the dish in Thursday's series finale.

The Rangers optioned Trevino to their alternate training site Thursday.

Robinson Chirinos is locked in as the Rangers' No. 1 catcher and the team values veteran Jeff Mathis' skills as a pitch framer and game caller, so Trevino predictably found himself on the chopping block with Texas needing to reduce its roster from 30 to 28 men ahead of Thursday's deadline. Trevino only appeared in two of the Rangers' first 10 games, going 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.

Garver is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Garver already received a day off in Tuesday's 7-3 win, but the backstop will sit again while the Twins wrap up their series with Pittsburgh with a day game after a night game. Alex Avila gets the nod behind the plate Thursday, catching for starting pitcher Kenta Maeda.

McCann started at catcher and went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers.

McCann was part of a lineup tweak that covered for the loss of Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder). Primary catcher Yasmani Grandal took over at designated hitter for Encarnacion while McCann made his fifth start of the season. If Encarnacion misses more time, we could also see Zack Collins fill in at DH.

Manager Aaron Boone was "a little bit" concerned Sanchez could be forced to miss a game or two if his elbow stiffened up after being hit by a pitch Wednesday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Sanchez went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in Game 2 and never exited the contest, but a stiff elbow could obviously impact his ability to work behind the plate. The 27-year-old should be considered day-to-day, and his availability is likely to be determined by how the elbow responds Thursday.

Murphy (foot) is feeling better but doesn't have a timeline for his return, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

The 29-year-old has apparently been able to take part in some light catching work, but it doesn't sound as though he's participating in rigorous workouts. Austin Nola should continue to see the bulk of the work behind the plate until Murphy can return from the left foot fracture.