MLB Player News

Higashioka (oblique) is "really close" to being ready to return and could do so in the next few days, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

Higashioka has been on the injured list since Aug. 8 but has recently begun to ramp up his activity. "Kyle's really close. I would expect him to be joining us in the next couple of days," manager Aaron Boone indicated Sunday. Kuty notes that the Yankees could be faced with having to either designate current backup catcher Erik Kratz for assignment or keep three catchers on the squad when Higashioka returns.

Hedges was traded from San Diego to Cleveland on Monday as part of a six-player package for Mike Clevinger, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The Padres completely overhauled their catching depth chart Sunday, acquiring both Jason Castro and Austin Nola, leaving Hedges as surplus to requirements. The 28-year-old remains clearly a glove-first backstop, as his career slash line now sits at .199/.257/.359 midway through his sixth big-league campaign. He has just a .591 OPS this season, though Cleveland's incumbent catchers, Roberto Perez and Sandy Leon, have marks of .442 and .527, respectively, so he could have a shot to carve out a meaningful role.

Smith went 1-for-3 with two walks, a solo home run and three runs scored Sunday against the Rangers.

Smith had a busy day at the plate, beginning in the second inning when he slugged his fourth home run of the season. He also crossed the plate in the sixth and eighth innings, both times after reaching base on a free pass. Smith is now hitting .208/.371/.521 with 11 runs scored and 11 RBI across 62 plate appearances.

Nola was traded from the Mariners to the Padres on Sunday in exchange for catcher Luis Torrens, among others, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Nola is the second catcher that the Padres traded for Sunday, but his defensive versatility throughout the infield should allow him to carve out a role in San Diego. Prior to sitting Sunday, Nola had started in 12 consecutive games for the Mariners and he's hit .306/.373/.531 with five home runs and 19 RBI to begin the season. Joseph Odom could take over as the new starting catcher in Seattle.

Sanchez hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit grand slam during the win over the Mets in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader.

Sanchez broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning with his 453-foot pinch-hit blast. The 27-year-old is still struggling with a .134 average, but he does have six homers and 14 RBI on the season.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Sanchez went 0-for-4 during the matinee and now has a .123/.245/.321 slash line through 26 games this season. Erik Kratz will work behind the plate for the Yankees in the nightcap.

Bemboom will start at catcher and will bat eighth Sunday against the Mariners.

Bemboom was expected to receive Sunday off, but he'll be in the lineup for a second straight contest after top backstop Jason Castro was scratched for an unspecified reason. In Saturday's 16-3 win, Bemboom was one of several Angels to enjoy a productive day at the dish, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored.

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

Nola will get a much-deserved breather after starting in 12 consecutive games, with each of the last three coming at catcher. Joseph Odom will step in for Nola behind the dish Sunday, catching for starting pitcher Justin Dunn.

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

Reese McGuire will step in behind the dish for Jansen, who looks to be receiving a routine maintenance day. Jansen caught the first two games of the series and went 1-for-7 with a double.

Barnes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Since Will Smith was activated from the 10-day injured list a week ago, Barnes has settled back in as the Dodgers' No. 2 backstop. He'll sit for the fifth time in seven games since Smith's return.