MLB Player News

Leon isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Leon has gone hitless with four strikeouts in his last 11 at-bats and continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Chad Wallach will start at catcher and bat seventh.

Trevino is not starting Monday against the Giants.

Trevino and Jonah Heim have now alternated turns behind the plate for 14 straight games. If the pattern continues, expect Trevino to return to the lineup Tuesday.

Maldonado isn't starting Monday's game against the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado had started each of the last four games and went 5-for-15 with a home run, a double, two runs and two RBI during that time. Jason Castro will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Ruiz was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

Ruiz spent six days with the big-league club but never had a path to much playing time given the presence of both Will Smith and Austin Barnes. He went 1-for-6 with four strikeouts in limited action, though his lone hit did clear the fence. It will likely take an injury to Smith or Barnes for Ruiz to earn meaningful at-bats this season.

Ruiz stated Saturday that he's willing to play outfield if needed, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Ruiz played outfield in high school but has not logged time at the position as a professional. He is currently on the active roster but is solidly behind both Will Smith and Austin Barnes on the catching depth chart. Despite Ruiz's openness to adding a position to his resume, manager Dave Roberts clarified that the team isn't currently considering such a move, per Matthew Moreno of Dodger Blue. If Ruiz were to get reps at another position, it would likely be first base, Roberts added.

Thaiss started at catcher for Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Per Ardaya, the last time Thaiss served as backstop in a game was during his final collegiate season at Virginia in 2016. It's not clear whether Saturday's appearance behind the dish was simply an experiment or part of a broader effort to expand the organization's catching depth. For what it's worth, the Angels recently traded for journeyman backstop Drew Butera after temporarily losing the services of Max Stassi (concussion) and Anthony Bemboom (back).

Nola is out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants.

Nola suffered a hand injury Friday but returned to the lineup Saturday and went 0-for-4 with an RBI. Victor Caratini receives another start behind the plate for San Diego.

Knizner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

After Yadier Molina (foot) returned from the injured list Saturday, Knizner's time as the Cardinals' No. 1 catcher came to an end. While Molina was sidelined, Knizner went 6-for-34 (.176 average) over a 10-game stretch.

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

Jansen will get a routine breather in favor of Reese McGuire after starting at catcher in the past three games -- and slugging a home run in each of them. The 26-year-old has still been one of the majors' worst everyday players this season with a .104/.178/.254 slash line, but Jansen's recent power surge should at least give him a short-term boost in job security.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

After wresting the No. 1 catching job away from Gary Sanchez in late April, Higashioka appears to have fallen back into a timeshare at the position upon falling into a 2-for-20 slump at the plate over his last six games. Higashioka and Sanchez have now alternated starts over the past five contests.