MLB Player News

Higashioka went 2-for-5 with a double, five RBI and one run scored in Tuesday's 16-4 victory over the Twins.

The five RBI established a season high to now give him 15 for the campaign. The 35-year-old slugging backstop is now slashing .233/.282/.320 with one homer, six doubles and nine runs scored across 110 plate appearances. The door is open for Higashioka to claim more playing time behind the dish, with Jonah Heim having gone 4-for-40 over his last 13 outings.

Bailey was scratched from the lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Rockies due to neck spasms, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

While Bailey takes a day off to recover, Andrew Knizner will start behind the plate and could continue to do so if Bailey needs to miss any additional games.

Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in San Diego.

Smith is on the bench for the a third time in a seven-game span. The catcher played in three consecutive games between Saturday and Monday in which he went 3-for-13 with a home run. As Smith rests Tuesday, Dalton Rushing steps in behind the plate, batting ninth.

Moreno (hand) is starting behind the plate and batting eighth Tuesday against the Mariners.

Moreno sat out the previous three games after being struck in the right hand by a wild pitch Friday, but he's ready to rejoin the lineup Tuesday. The 25-year-old has been on a tear at the plate in his past 15 games, as he has a .358/.393/.660 slash line with five doubles, a triple, three homers, eight RBI and 11 runs during that span.

Heim is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.

Heim is batting .100 (4-for-40) over his past 13 contests and will sit Tuesday after starting Texas' previous two games. Kyle Higashioka will step in behind the plate to catch for righty Tyler Mahle.

McGuire is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Tuesday's game against the Phillies.

With regular starter Carson Kelly mired in a 2-for-30 slump, McGuire will get a chance to start behind the plate Tuesday and face Philadelphia righty Mick Abel. McGuire is unlikely to unseat the struggling Kelly entirely, though manager Craig Counsell may look to lighten Kelly's load a bit more in an effort to get his bat hot again. Miguel Amaya (oblique) is also eyeing an early-July return from the injured list and could jump into the No. 1 catcher role when he's healthy.

Baldwin is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers.

Baldwin went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout in Monday's series opener and will take a seat for Tuesday's contest. Sean Murphy will instead start behind the plate, and it will be the 13th straight game in which the pair has alternated starts at catcher.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Hicks started the previous four games but will head to the bench Tuesday after going 3-for-14 with a double, two RBI and a run during that stretch. Nick Fortes will step in behind the plate while Agustin Ramirez serves as the designated hitter versus Pittsburgh righty Mitch Keller.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Philadelphia.

Kelly batted seventh Monday -- which is the lowest he's hit since April -- and is out of the lineup altogether Tuesday as he battles through a 2-for-30 slump. Reese McGuire is catching and batting ninth for the Cubs.

The Mets placed Alvarez on the paternity list Tuesday.

The 23-year-old will be away from the team for a few days in order to spend some time with his growing family. Alvarez should be back with the Mets by Friday's series opener versus the Rays. In the meantime, Luis Torrens should serve as New York's primary backstop, while Hayden Senger was promoted Tuesday to fill the backup job.