MLB Player News

Heim is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Giants on Friday.

Heim will get a breather Friday while Kyle Higashioka starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Heim has gone 2-for-8 with a solo home run over his last two starts.

Quero isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Quero will get a chance to rest Friday after going 8-for-24 with four RBI and a run scored through his first eight career MLB games. Matt Thaiss fill in behind the plate and bat sixth.

Smith (wrist) is starting behind home plate and batting sixth against the Pirates on Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith injured his left wrist during Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Cubs while tagging Ian Happ at home plate in the sixth. Austin Barnes got the start Wednesday, but after Thursday's off day, Smith has been cleared to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener. Smith has started the season slashing .350/.453/.567 with one stolen base, eight runs scored, three home runs and 15 RBI in 75 plate appearances.

Maldonado is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Rays on Friday.

Maldonado has started in more games as of late, but he'll rest Friday while Elias Diaz starts behind home plate and bats eighth against Rays right-hander Shane Baz. Maldonado is slashing .225/.244/.300 with one home run and two RBI in 41 plate appearances this season.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Kansas City, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz caught all three games of the Astros' previous series against the Blue Jays, so he'll get a breather Friday. Victor Caratini is behind the dish and batting seventh for Houston.

Herrera (knee) hopes to begin a rehab assignment May 1, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Herrera is making good progress in his recovery from a left knee bone bruise, having run, hit and caught off a pitching machine this week without any setbacks. He should require only a few rehab games before returning to the Cardinals' lineup.

Perez is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Astros.

It's the first day off this season for Perez, who played both legs of a doubleheader Thursday (one at catcher, one at designated hitter). Freddy Fermin will catch and bat eighth for the Royals in Friday's series opener.

Basallo (hamstring/elbow) is starting at designated hitter Friday for Triple-A Norfolk.

As expected, Basallo is back off the injured list as the DH, with the expectation he will be ready to get back behind the plate in May. He had a .250/.318/.550 slash line with two home runs and four strikeouts in seven games before landing on the IL.

The Twins outrighted Cartaya to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. Cartaya was acquired via trade from the Dodgers over the offseason and is just 2-for-25 with an 18:4 K:BB in his first 29 plate appearances with St. Paul this season.

The Mets activated Alvarez (hand) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Alvarez is starting at catcher and batting seventh Friday versus the Nationals in what will be his season debut after he missed the first four weeks of the season following surgery on a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. The catcher went 7-for-39 with one home run across 10 rehab contests.