MLB Player News

Higashioka (oblique) took at-bats and caught in a simulated game at the Yankees' alternate training site Thursday, Conor Foley of the Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

Higashioka has been out since Aug. 8 with a strained right oblique. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Aug. 19 that the backstop wasn't close to returning, but an additional week of recovery seems to have pushed Higashioka to the brink of rejoining the team. Assuming Thursday's session went off without a hitch, Higashioka should come off the injured list in the near future. He would presumably resume his backup role to Gary Sanchez upon his return.

Stallings is not starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Stallings will retreat to the bench for Game 2 of Thursday's twin bill after catching all nine innings in Game 1 while going 2-for-4 with an RBI. John Ryan Murphy is starting at catcher in this one.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Luis Torrens gets the start behind the dish in this one. Through 17 games this month, Hedges is slashing .235/.333/.529 with three home runs and a stolen base.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

With Barnhart getting a breather for the front end of the twin bill, Curt Casali will step in behind the dish to catch for starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Look for Barnhart to return to the lineup for Game 2 to catch lefty Wade Miley.

Trevino started at catcher and batted third, going 1-for-4 in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Athletics.

Trevino, who started the season batting in the lower third of the order, was moved up the three hole, a spot where the Rangers need production. The team's No. 3 hitters went into Wednesday's game slashing .137/.183/.205. He posted an .893 OPS in eight games while batting eighth or ninth, so Trevino became the sixth No. 3 hitter tried this season. Joey Gallo would appear to solve the issue for the Rangers, but manager Chris Woodward told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com that he doesn't feel comfortable there. "I'm hoping that we eventually get to that point, where he feels really, really comfortable about being in that spot," Woodward said. "Maybe it isn't the best spot for him. There is a comfort factor, obviously, when you're a major league hitter."

Thole is traveling with the Yankees as part of their taxi squad, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Thole began the season near the bottom of the team's catching depth chart, but an injury to Kyle Higashioka (oblique) and the retirement of Chris Iannetta has catapulted Thole to taxi-squad status. Though he's unlikely to be activated barring injury or illness to either Gary Sanchez or Erik Kratz, Thole will likely accompany the team on road trips until Higashioka is able to return. The Yankees' acquisition of Rob Brantly on Wednesday does cast some question about Thole's place on the depth chart moving forward, however.

Gallagher went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run during Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

Gallagher got the Royals on the board by launching his first long ball of the season with a two-run shot off Dakota Hudson in the third inning. Across 11 games, the 27-year-old backstop is slashing .318/.423/.545 with four runs scored and a pair of RBI.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Orioles.

Perez delivered his first home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth inning to supply the game-winning run. The start was Perez's first since August 21. Through 38 plate appearances this season, he is hitting .171/.211/.257.

Jackson was optioned to the alternate training site after Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Jackson joined the club as the 29th man for Wednesday's twin bill, but he didn't appear in either game. The 24-year-old is unlikely to see worthwhile opportunities with the Braves while Travis d'Arnaud and Tyler Flowers remain healthy.

Smith is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Smith was activated off the injured list Sunday and started the past two games, going 1-for-6 with a home run, three runs and three walks. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate Wednesday for the Dodgers.