MLB Player News

Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Grandal will hit the bench for a second straight day as the Pirates give youngster Henry Davis another turn behind the dish. The two will likely be deployed in a fairly even timeshare behind the plate during the final month of the season.

Higashioka (illness) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Higashioka was scratched from the lineup Saturday due to flu-like symptoms, and he'll sit Sunday for a second straight game. Luis Campusano will receive another start behind the plate in the series finale.

Haase remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Haase has started just once in the Brewers' last 12 games and is the clear No. 3 catcher on the roster behind All-Star William Contreras and Gary Sanchez. Until the Brewers formally clinch a spot in the postseason and their playoff seeding is locked in, Haase is unlikely to receive steady at-bats.

Heim went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

Heim poked his 12th homer of the season in the second inning, giving the the Rangers an early lead. He's lost playing time over the second half to Carson Kelly, largely due to a .186 average. Second-half fades are not new for Heim, who has a career line of .188/.254/.336 following the break.

The Padres are expected to call up Diaz from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After being released by the Rockies on Aug. 16, Diaz signed a minor-league contract with the Padres 10 days later. He's gone 3-for-12 with three runs scored, one home run and six RBI across his three outings with El Paso, and he will join the Padres active roster when it expands to 28 players Sunday. Diaz will provide a third option at catcher behind Kyle Higashioka (illness) and Luis Campusano.

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

Murphy will give way behind the plate to Travis d'Arnaud after going 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBI and two walks during Friday's win.

Grandal isn't in Pittsburgh's lineup for Saturday's game versus Cleveland.

Grandal has put together a nice six-game hitting streak, during which he's 7-for-20 with two homers, three RBI and five runs scored. However, he'll sit Saturday in favor of Henry Davis, who will bat ninth while catching for Luis Ortiz.

Wong will start at second base and bat sixth Saturday against the Tigers, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

As Smith notes, Wong has played 21 innings at second base in his major-league career, but this will be his first career start at the position. Wong homered and doubled in Friday's win over Detroit, and overall he's slashing .285/.339/.432 with 12 homers in 401 plate appearances this season. He could end up playing more at second base than Nick Sogard in the absence of David Hamilton (finger).

Higashioka was scratched from the Padres' lineup ahead of Saturday's game versus Tampa Bay due to flu-like symptoms.

Higashioka has tallied base hits in his last two games -- including a solo home run Wednesday -- but he'll be forced to sit out Saturday as he fights off an illness. Luis Campusano will fill in behind the plate while batting eighth.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays.

Christian Vazquez will step in behind the plate to catch for starting pitcher Zebby Matthews. Jeffers has enjoyed a productive month with a .926 OPS and five homers, and for the season he's been a top-10 fantasy catcher.