MLB Player News

Serven is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Serven appeared to solidify himself as the Rockies' top backstop in mid-June, but he and Elias Diaz have since fallen into a near-even timeshare behind the dish. The two have alternated starts at catcher for 12 consecutive contests, with Serven going 1-for-19 with a double, two walks, two runs and no RBI in his six starts during that stretch.

The Rangers optioned Huff to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Huff hadn't been receiving much playing time of late as one of three catchers on the active roster and as a reserve first baseman/designated hitter, so the Rangers will send him back to Triple-A to see regular at-bats. Utility man Nick Solak was summoned from Round Rock to replace Huff on the active roster.

Nido is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs due to a left forearm injury, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Per Puma, manager Buck Showalter said Nido is undergoing an MRI for the injury that will keep him on the bench for the series finale, though the skipper doesn't believe the backstop is dealing with anything serious. Patrick Mazeika will pick up the start behind the dish Sunday, forming a battery with starting pitcher David Peterson.

Knizner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

He'll get a breather for the day game, paving the way for Austin Romine to get a turn behind the dish. Knizner appears to have re-established himself as St. Louis' top backstop in the absence of the injured Yadier Molina (knee) after going 7-for-15 with five RBI while starting at catcher in five of the Cardinals' previous six contests.

Sanchez will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the White Sox, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez had been starting to lose out on work at designated hitter to begin the past week, but top backstop Ryan Jeffers' (thumb) move to the injured list Friday should pave the way for Sanchez to see steady work behind the dish. He'll be making his third consecutive start at catcher after going 2-for-7 with a walk and a run over the past two contests.

Murphy, who went 2-for-4 in a loss to the Astros on Saturday, is now carrying a .360/.393/.540 slash line across 56 plate appearances in 13 July games.

The hot-hitting backstop's torrid stretch includes six doubles, a home run, six RBI, two walks and seven runs. Murphy has a quartet of multi-hit efforts as well during the current month, and he's managed to reach safely in all but one game.

Heim will sit Sunday against the Mariners.

Heim will get a breather after he went 3-for-12 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in the first three games of the series. Meibrys Viloria is starting at catcher and batting ninth in the final game before the All-Star break.

Gomes is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Mets.

Gomes will get a day off after he went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a walk in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader. Willson Contreras will start at catcher while Ian Happ starts at designated hitter and bats third in the series finale.

Haase is starting at catcher and batting fourth in Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Haase will be starting behind the plate for the second straight day, and it looks like he's overtaken Tucker Barnhart as the Tigers' primary catcher. Haase certainly offers more power potential, as he has seven home runs and a .433 slugging percentage across 57 games, while Barnhart has no home runs and a .243 slugging percentage across 59 games.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

D'Arnaud and William Contreras will conclude the first half having alternated turns behind the plate over the past six games. Contreras will catch for the second time in the series while d'Arnaud sits after going 1-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Nationals.