MLB Player News

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Despite launching a solo shot in the series opener Monday, Kelly will sit out Tuesday's matchup. The Cubs will send out Miguel Amaya to handle the catching duties and bat ninth.

Heim isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.

Heim will move to the bench Tuesday after going 1-for-4 with a run scored during Monday's loss. Brian Serven will replace him behind the plate and bat ninth.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said that Rutschman will sit out Tuesday's game against Miami due to right elbow irritation, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Boston's skipper noted that Rutschman hyperextended his elbow while taking an aggressive swing in Monday's contest and felt sore afterward. The Red Sox aren't overly concerned about the 28-year-old's elbow, but they'll give him a day off Tuesday as a precaution. Connor Wong will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Smith (neck) is scheduled to catch five innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

It will be Smith's first game action since he went down in early June due to neck inflammation. The Dodgers will ease him into action, working him up to catching a complete game. The goal is to have the 31-year-old ready by Sept. 1, which is when MLB rosters expand.

The Rockies optioned Fulford to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old was up with the Rockies the past week but will return to Triple-A since Hunter Goodman (shoulder) was activated from the injured list Tuesday. Fulford hasn't made much of an impact offensively when up with Colorado this year with a .174/.253/.275 slash line in 43 games.

The Rockies reinstated Goodman (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list and he is batting third Tuesday against the Nationals, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Goodman ended up missing just the 10-day minimum due to the left shoulder strain he sustained in mid-August. The 26-year-old homered twice in his first game of the month but since then has struggled, going 5-for-31 (.161 average) with one homer and 10 strikeouts in his past nine contests.

The Rangers announced Wednesday that Higashioka (forearm) began throwing out to 60 feet, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After being placed on the 10-day injured list July 21 due to a right flexor strain, Higashioka was shut down from throwing for nearly three weeks before being cleared to start ramping back up when Aug. 11 imaging on his forearm revealed improved healing. Assuming his initial throwing went well, Higashioka could start throwing to bases at some point this week. The veteran backstop will need to complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated and is likely at least a couple weeks away from rejoining the Rangers.

Crooks is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Orioles.

Crooks started at catcher each of the last three times the opposition had a righty on the bump, but he will take a seat Tuesday as the Orioles hand the ball to Chris Bassitt. Ivan Herrera will do the catching for the Cardinals.

Rustchman is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Miami.

The Red Sox have been careful not to overwork Rutschman since he came off the injured list, as this will be his fourth day off in the last two weeks. Connor Wong will do the catching and will bat ninth for Boston.

Ruiz is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's contest versus the Rockies.

Ruiz will get a break after starting at catcher each of the past two days. Harry Ford will be behind the plate and will bat seventh for the Nationals on Tuesday.