MLB Player News

Jeffers isn't starting Friday against the White Sox.

Jeffers went 2-for-7 with a run, a walk and a strikeout over the last two games and will retreat to the bench Friday. Gary Sanchez is starting behind the plate.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Perez had alternated starts behind the dish in recent matchups but will head to the minors after Tyler Heineman was reinstated from the family medical emergency list Friday. Perez should see more consistent playing time in the minors after he slashed .193/.227/.325 with two homers, seven RBI, four runs and a stolen base over 26 major-league games.

Heineman (personal) was reinstated from the family medical emergency list Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Heineman has been away since July 5 but will rejoin the team ahead of Friday's game against the Rockies. Although he isn't starting Friday, the 31-year-old will likely have a chance to serve as the Pirates' primary catcher after Michael Perez was sent down.

Maldonado will hit the bench Friday against Oakland.

Maldonado is hitting just .167/.237/.324 on the year, but his 64 starts behind the plate rank third at the position. He'll sit here after starting eight of the last nine games, with Korey Lee set to catch for Jose Urquidy.

Jansen will be on the bench Friday against the Royals.

Jansen returned from a fractured hamate bone Tuesday. Since then, he and Alejandro Kirk have alternated starts behind the plate, with Kirk serving as the designated hitter when not asked to catch. Kirk starts behind the plate Friday, pushing Jansen to the bench.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Stephenson started the last five games and hit .450 with a homer, a double, four RBI and three runs. Michael Papierski will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Trevino will sit Friday against the Red Sox.

Trevino will get a breather after he went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Reds. Kyle Higashioka will start at catcher and bat eighth in Friday's series opener.

D'Arnaud is not in the starting lineup for Friday's contest against the Nationals.

D'Arnaud will get a breather Friday after he went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's victory. William Contreras will replace him behind the plate and bat seventh against Washington.

Heim went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and run scored in Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Mariners.

Heim, who started the last two games after missing Tuesday's contest due to illness, knocked in the second of three runs the Rangers plated in the bottom of the first inning. The RBI gives him 32 over 67 games, tying the career high he set in 2021 over 82 games. Heim is poised to establish new career highs in several categories, as he will serve as the Rangers' primary backstop the rest of the season. The Buffalo native is slashing .267/.320/.480 over 241 plate appearances.

Zavala went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in a 12-2 victory over Minnesota on Thursday.

Chicago had built a 9-1 lead by the ninth inning, and Zavala put the exclamation mark on the rout with his three-run shot to left field in the top of that frame. The long ball was his second of the campaign and first since June 15. Zavala hasn't hit for much power overall this season, but he's shown well with a .303/.349/.474 slash line through 24 games.