MLB Player News

Kirk went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a walk and four runs scored in Sunday's 11-10 win over the Angels.

Kirk has scored eight runs in his last five games, a span in which he's gone 8-for-17 with three doubles. The catcher has played well for much of the season, but his recent uptick in offense has lifted his slash line to .289/.371/.372 with a home run, nine RBI, 15 runs scored and seven doubles in 140 plate appearances. If Danny Jansen (hip) is forced to miss any more time, Kirk would logically pick up the slack behind the dish.

Jansen wasn't in Sunday's lineup against the Angels due to a minor hip injury, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.

The 27-year-old had started in three of the last four games prior to Sunday's matchup, and manager Charlie Montoyo didn't sound too concerned about Jansen's injury following the win. The backstop should tentatively be considered day-to-day prior to Tuesday's series opener against the White Sox.

Narvaez went 3-for-3 with a triple, a double, an RBI, three runs scored and a walk in Sunday's 8-0 win over the Cardinals.

Narvaez hadn't hit a triple since 2018 with the White Sox, but he came up a home run short of a cycle in the unexpected performance. The 30-year-old has multiple hits in each of his last three games, going 7-for-11 in that span. He's lifted his slash line to .276/.372/.429 with two home runs, nine RBI, 10 runs scored and seven doubles across 113 plate appearances this year while serving as the Brewers' top catcher.

Nido is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Nido and Patrick Mazeika have now alternated turns behind the plate over the past seven games, with the former getting three starts to the latter's four. Expect a rough timeshare to remain in place for the two backstops until James McCann (wrist) is cleared to return from the 10-day injured list, likely at some point shortly before the All-Star break.

Perez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in San Diego.

The lefty-hitting Perez will take a seat for the third time in four games, paving the way for the switch-hitting Tyler Heineman to pick up another turn behind the dish. The Pirates have faced left-handed starting pitchers twice during the past three contests, so that could explain why Perez was passed over for the start in favor of Heineman. The two backstops may continue to work in a platoon for Pittsburgh, with neither representing an especially appealing fantasy option.

Kirk will start at catcher and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Angels.

Kirk will get a turn behind the plate in the series finale while fellow backstop Danny Jansen takes a seat. Though he's been swinging a hot bat of late by going 6-for-13 with two doubles, a walk, four runs and an RBI over his last four games, Kirk has faded into more of a part-time role following Jansen's return from the injured list earlier this month. Kirk is starting Sunday for just the fifth time in nine games.

Bethancourt went 2-for-4 with a run in a loss to the Rangers on Saturday.

The reserve backstop reached safely for the fourth time in five games and generated his second multi-hit effort in that span. Bethancourt continues to be an occasional contributor at the plate, but it remains to be seen how much longer his stint on the big-league roster will last with Stephen Vogt (knee) kicking off his rehab assignment Saturday and therefore likely to return to action relatively soon.

Nola is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Nola will take a seat for the day game following the night game after he started at catcher and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's 4-2 loss. With Nola on the bench, Jorge Alfaro will catch for starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore in the series finale.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Jansen started three of the past four games and will take a seat after going 4-for-14 with three home runs, five RBI and four runs during that stretch. Alejandro Kirk will work behind the plate in Sunday's series finale.

Raleigh is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Raleigh started the first two games against Houston and will head to the bench for the series finale after going 1-for-8 with a double, a run and four strikeouts. Luis Torrens will work behind the plate Sunday.