MLB Player News

Leon launched a two-run home run his only at-bat during Thursday's victory over the Yankees.

Pinch hitting for Mookie Betts, Leon launched his fourth homer of the season, this time a two-run blast off Austin Romine in the eighth inning. The 30-year-old, who serves as the backup catcher to Christian Vazquez, is hitting .207/.273/.328 with four home runs, 15 RBI and 10 runs scored over 116 limited plate appearances this season.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a home run in Thursday's loss to the Red Sox.

Higashioka hit his first homer of the season with a solo shot off Rick Porcello in the fifth inning. The 29-year-old was recalled prior to Wednesday's game and will be serving as Austin Romine's backup with Gary Sanchez on the injured list (groin). Through 18 plate appearances this season, Higashioka is batting .222/.211/.500.

Murphy (knee) was added to the active roster at Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old has been out since tearing his meniscus in early May, but Murphy is now back and will presumably take over behind the plate for the Aviators against El Paso on Thursday. He will look to build on the strong .324/.402/.459 line he posted in 19 games with Las Vegas before going down with the injury. If he does that, Murphy, arguably a top-12 catching prospect in all of baseball, could get his first big-league callup in September.

Gallagher is not in the lineup Thursday against the Indians.

Gallagher is slashing .300/.440/.500 with four doubles and two RBI in seven games since the All-Star break. He'll sit for a second straight game Thursday as Meibrys Viloria gets another start behind the dish in this one.

The Twins promoted Jeffers from High-A Fort Myers to Double-A Pensacola on Thursday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Jeffers and pitching prospect Jhoan Duran will make the jump to the Southern League together after neither had much left to prove at Pensacola. The 22-year-old turned in a .256/.330/.402 slash line (120 wRC+) across 315 plate appearances at Fort Myers, with that production rendered more meaningful by the fact that he's a catching product. While not a top-shelf defender, Jeffers' quality arm and respectable receiving skills should allow him to stick behind the plate as he moves through the system.

Sanchez is dealing with a Grade 1 (minor) groin strain, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Fortunately it is not a serious strain, but manager Aaron Boone still didn't want to offer up a timetable for Sanchez's return. He is eligible to return on Aug. 3. Austin Romine and Kyle Higashioka will split the catching duties in the short term.

Perez is not in the lineup Wednesday against Toronto.

Perez has carried a heavy load this season, with his 70 games started behind the plate tying him for fifth in the league. Kevin Plawecki gets the start Wednesday.

Nola will start at second base and bat seventh Wednesday against the Rangers.

Nola will enter the lineup for a fifth straight game and will make his second consecutive start at the keystone. With Dee Gordon (quadriceps) landing on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Nola may be in line for a trial in an everyday role, potentially making him someone worth keeping an eye on in AL-only or deeper mixed leagues.

Gallagher is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Braves.

Gallagher has been the top option behind the plate in Kansas City since the team traded Martin Maldonado to the Cubs, starting five of seven games prior to Wednesday's contest. Meibrys Viloria gets the nod in his absence.

Stassi went 2-for-3 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Athletics.

Heading into Tuesday, Stassi had managed just four hits in 28 at-bats over his 11 games since returning from the 10-day injured list in late June. The two-hit performance is a marginal step in the right direction, but Stassi probably won't be in line for a surge in playing time because of it. He's locked in as the clear No. 2 catcher in Houston behind Robinson Chirinos.