MLB Player News

Stassi went 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI during Thursday's win over the Tigers.

With the Angels trailing in the eighth, Stassi cranked a go-ahead two-run homer against Michael Fulmer. The long ball was the 11th of the season for the backstop, who was riding a 2-for-30 drought prior to Thursday's contest.

Higashioka went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Twins.

Higashioka slammed a two-run homer off Danny Coulombe in the fourth inning. In addition, he drove in Andrew Velazquez on a double in the third inning. The catcher is back to splitting time behind the plate with teammate Gary Sanchez (illness) after Sanchez returned from the injured list Aug. 17. Higashioka is slashing just .181/.256/.403 with eight long balls, 20 RBI and 17 runs scored in 160 plate appearances.

Murphy went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks Thursday against the White Sox.

Murphy kicked off the scoring for the Athletics with his 14th home run of the season. Though it was first homer since July 27, Murphy has produced plenty of late. Across his last eight games, he has seven RBI and four runs scored while also logging four doubles. For the season, Murphy has a .222/.319/.422 line with 37 runs scored and 54 RBI across 370 plate appearances.

The Mets are optimistic that McCann (back) will avoid the injured list, and he could be available off the bench Thursday against the Dodgers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McCann is out of the lineup for the third consecutive game Thursday. However, his potential to be available off the bench is a positive sign, as he was ruled out from any game action on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Patrick Mazeika continues to get playing time behind the plate in McCann's absence.

McCann (back) is not in Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McCann is out of the lineup for the third consecutive game while dealing with back spasms. There's no word on whether he is available off the bench, or if a stint on the injured list might be required. Patrick Mazeika draws the start behind the dish and will hit eighth in McCann's absence.

Garver is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Garver has a .733 OPS and 37 percent strikeout rate through 12 games in August, and he finds himself on the bench for the second consecutive contest. Ryan Jeffers will work behind the plate for the Twins in the series opener.

Narvaez isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Cardinals.

Narvaez went 1-for-8 with a double, an RBI, a walk and two strikeouts across the last two games, and he'll get a day off with left-hander Jon Lester on the mound for St. Louis on Thursday. Manny Pina will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Sanchez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Sanchez returned from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday and has gone 2-for-7 with a double, two runs and two strikeouts across two games since then. However, he'll retreat to the bench while Kyle Higashioka starts at catcher and bats eighth.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Sanchez will get a breather for the series opener after he went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs Wednesday in the Yankees' 5-2 win over the Red Sox. Kyle Higashioka spells Sanchez behind the plate.

Rogers (forearm) has a chance to return in mid-September, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Rogers will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Sept. 17, and it looks as though he may be healthy by that point. The Tigers hope he can begin a rehab assignment in approximately three weeks.