MLB Player News

Fermin will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Twins.

Fermin will be behind the plate for the fourth game in a row after going 3-for-12 with a double, a walk and two runs. If the Royals continue to use Salvador Perez at first base and designated hitter more frequently, Fermin could end up having a fairly stable spot in the lineup as the team's preferred catcher.

Heim is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Heim will get a respite Sunday after he started at either catcher or designated hitter each of the previous six games. Kyle Higashioka will step in behind the dish, while outfielder Sam Haggerty gets a day off from defensive duties as the Rangers' DH.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Jansen will get a breather for the afternoon game after he caught all nine innings of Saturday's 3-1 win. Ben Rortvedt will receive a turn behind the plate in the series finale.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

Kirk will get a breather for the matinee contest after he had started behind the dish the last two days. After being called up from Triple-A Buffalo to replace the injured Tyler Heineman (concussion) on the roster, Ali Sanchez will get the nod at catcher Sunday.

Kelly was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds due to an illness, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 30-year-old homered after replacing an injured Miguel Amaya (oblique) in Saturday's contest, but Kelly will now sit out after falling ill at some point after that game. Reese McGuire, who joined the active roster Sunday when Amaya was placed on the injured list, will instead start behind the plate for the Cubs. Once he shakes off the illness, Kelly should see the bulk of the opportunities at catcher after he had previously been working in a timeshare with Amaya.

The Blue Jays selected Sanchez's contract from Triple-A Buffalo, and he'll start behind the plate and bat eighth Sunday against the Rays.

The 28-year-old inked a minor-league deal with Toronto in December and will now join the big club with Tyler Heineman (concussion) going on the 7-day injured list. Sanchez had a .401 OPS in 96 plate appearances with the Marlins last season. He'll likely see infrequent playing time for the Blue Jays since Alejandro Kirk is locked is as the team's No. 1 backstop.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Stephenson started the previous six games but will take a seat Sunday after going 3-for-20 with two doubles, an RBI, three runs and 10 strikeouts during that stretch. Jose Trevino will step in behind the plate to catch for Nick Lodolo in the series finale.

The Cubs selected McGuire's contract from Triple-A Iowa, and he'll start behind the plate against the Reds on Sunday.

McGuire signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in January and has spent the entire season at Iowa, slashing .282/.366/.465 with three home runs and two stolen bases in 21 games. He'll be joining the Cubs as a replacement for Miguel Amaya (oblique), who was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Carson Kelly will likely see the bulk of the playing time behind the dish for Chicago in Amaya's absence, though McGuire could be in store for a start or two per week.

The Cubs placed Amaya (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Amaya suffered a left oblique strain during Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Reds. He'll be eligible to rejoin the big club June 4, but given the nature of the injury, he will most likely be out beyond the minimum 10 days. The Cubs called up Reese McGuire from Triple-A Iowa to provide another option behind the plate, but Carson Kelly is likely to see the bulk of the starts at catcher while Amaya is on the shelf.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz will get a much-needed break after he had started at catcher in each of the Nationals' last eight games. Riley Adams will fill in for Ruiz behind the dish Sunday for just the ninth time all season.