MLB Player News

Higashioka went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a double in Wednesday's loss to Seattle.

The Yankees weren't able to muster much offense in the contest, so Higashioka's seventh-inning two-run shot made only a small dent in a big Seattle lead. Nonetheless, it was a positive development for the catcher, whose previous homer came nearly a month ago. Higashioka has six long balls on the season, four of which came during a four-game stretch in mid-June.

Stassi is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

He'll take a seat as the Angels wrap up their series versus Oakland with a matinee game, paving the way for Kurt Suzuki to get a turn behind the dish. Stassi went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in Wednesday's 3-1 loss.

The Reds optioned Kolozsvary to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Kolozsvary lost his spot on the 26-man active roster to fellow catcher Austin Romine, whom the Reds acquired from the Cardinals on Tuesday. During his latest stint in the big leagues, Kolozsvary saw scant action behind No. 1 backstop Michael Papierski, who should face a stiffer challenge for the top job from Romine.

Diaz isn't starting Thursday against the Padres.

Diaz started the last two games and went 0-for-7 with a walk and three strikeouts. Brian Serven will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Delay will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Delay had started just once in the Pirates' last six games, but he looks set to tentatively take over as the team's No. 1 backstop. Per Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com, the Pirates placed top catcher Tyler Heineman (groin) on the 10-day injured list Thursday and called up Taylor Davis from Triple-A Indianapolis to add depth behind Delay.

The Pirates placed Heineman on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right groin strain.

Heineman was removed from Wednesday's win over the Brewers due to the groin strain, and the issue will ultimately force him to miss at least a week and a half. Jason Delay is in line to serve as the Pirates' primary catcher in Heineman's absence, while Taylor Davis' contract was selected Thursday.

Davis' contract was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Davis appeared in two games for the Pirates last year and will rejoin the major-league roster after Tyler Heineman (groin) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday. Over 35 Triple-A games this year, Davis has hit .282 with four doubles, 14 RBI and eight runs. He should serve as catching depth behind Jason Delay.

Bart (groin) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

As expected, Bart will take a seat for the series finale after he tweaking his groin late in Wednesday's 3-0 loss. Manager Gabe Kapler suggested that Bart's injury is a minor one, and there's a good chance the backstop would have sat Thursday in the day game after a night game even if he was at 100 percent health. Austin Wynns will catch for starting pitcher Jakob Junis in the matinee contest.

Gomes is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

Gomes is absent from the lineup for the front end of the twin bill, but expect him to check in behind the dish for Game 2 while top backstop Willson Contreras either heads to the bench or serves as the Cubs' designated hitter.

Ruiz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss against the Mets.

Ruiz launched a solo blast in the bottom of the ninth inning to kick off the scoring for the Nationals. It was his fourth home run of the season and his first since July 1. The catcher is 3-for-12 to start August after batting .230 in July. For the season he has a .655 OPS in 82 games.