MLB Player News

The Astros promoted Lee from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

Houston's top catching prospect will advance to his third affiliate of the season after beginning the campaign at High-A Asheville. Since receiving a promotion to Double-A in mid-June, Lee hit .254 with eight home runs and three stolen bases while walking at an 8.4 percent clip.

The Reds selected Kolozsvary's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Kolozsvary will assume the 40-man roster spot and 28-man active roster spot of Tyler Stephenson, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, presumably for reasons related to COVID-19. The Reds are expected to lean heavily on No. 1 backstop Tucker Barnhart while Stephenson is out, likely leaving Kolozsvary to pick up one or two starts per week. Between stops at Louisville and Double-A Chattanooga in 2021, the 26-year-old backstop slashed .219/.327/.411 with seven home runs in 55 games.

The Reds placed Stephenson on the injured list without a designation Monday.

Though Stephenson typically starts against left-handed pitchers, he wasn't included in the lineup for Cincinnati's series opener Monday with the Pirates, who are starting southpaw Dillon Peters. Stephenson's move to the IL explains why he was absent from the lineup, and the lack of a designation attached to his name implies that he's been ruled out for a reason related to COVID-19. Cincinnati called up Mark Kolozsvary from Triple-A Louisville to serve as the No. 2 catcher behind Tucker Barnhart while Stephenson is on the shelf.

Jackson isn't starting Monday's game against the Nationals.

Jackson started Sunday's series finale against the Pirates and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Payton Henry will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Kirk will start at catcher and bat sixth Monday against the Rays.

Kirk was on the bench for each of the past three games, but he'll step back in behind the dish to catch Cy Young candidate Robbie Ray in Monday's series opener. Though Kirk remains Toronto's top hitting catcher, Danny Jansen's superior defense may make him the more useful asset for a Blue Jays lineup that already boasts plenty of quality bats. Expect the two to remain part of a timeshare the rest of the way.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday in an 8-5 win over the Reds.

Smith's solo shot to left field in the second inning accounted for the first run of the game. It was his 25th homer of the campaign, which leads all National League catchers and ranks third among MLB backstops. Smith has complemented the power production with a solid .270/.380/.521 slash line, 72 RBI and three stolen bases.

Hedges will start at catcher and bat eighth in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Royals.

Since Cleveland brought back Roberto Perez from the injured list last week, Hedges has fallen back into a near-even timeshare at catcher. The two backstops have now alternated starts across the last seven contests, and that trend should continue in the nightcap, when Perez presumably gets the nod over Hedges.

Perez is out of the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Royals.

Perez and Austin Hedges have been alternating turns behind the dish since the former was activated from the 10-day injured list last week, and the pattern will likely continue as Cleveland opens a nine-game week with a doubleheader. Hedges will form a battery with Triston McKenzie in the opening contest, but look for Perez to start at catcher in Monday's nightcap.

Gomes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, walk and two strikeouts in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Angels.

Gomes opened the game's scoring with a solo home run to center off Shohei Ohtani in the third inning and later walked in the ninth. The long ball was Gomes' second of the week, though the backstop is slashing a poor .182/.250/.341 in 14 games this month.

Haase went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Rays.

Haase and Dustin Garneau popped solo home runs, which was enough for the Tigers in the 2-0 win. Haase now has 22 home runs this season, which has helped offset his .231 batting average. The 28-year-old is batting just .182 this month, but his ability to leave the yard gives him some fantasy appeal down the stretch, especially from the catcher position.