MLB Player News

Higashioka is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Tampa Bay.

He'll receive a day of rest after catching three of the previous four contests for the Padres. Luis Campusano will be behind the dish for the series opener versus the Rays.

Herrera is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees.

Herrera had started three of the Cardinals previous four games, but he'll give way to Pedro Pages behind the plate Friday. Since being called up Sunday, Herrera is 3-for-12 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against San Diego.

With left-hander Martin Perez on the mound for the Padres, Rortvedt will yield to Alex Jackson behind the dish. Rortvedt has one hit in his last 23 at-bats.

McCann went 1-for-5 in a loss to the Reds on Thursday.

Shea Langeliers got a rare day off Thursday, affording McCann his first start since Aug. 21. The rookie backstop collected his first hit since July 28, but he also struck out three times. McCann has a .254/.338/.390 slash line across 133 plate appearances this season.

Sanchez went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored, an RBI and two stolen bases in Thursday's win over the Rockies.

The catcher came into the game with zero pilfers in 36 career big-league games and has never swiped more than two bags in a minor-league season, but Sanchez came home on a double steal with Connor Norby in the fourth inning before nabbing second base himself in the sixth. Sanchez has moved into a timeshare with Nick Fortes of late, starting four of the last eight games including the last two against right-handed pitchers, but Thursday's performance in Coors Field was his first multi-hit effort since July 12.

Serven went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

The backstop scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the third inning as he guided Bowden Francis and the bullpen to a 2-0 victory. Serven is emerging as Francis' personal catcher, working with him in each of the right-hander's last three starts, and it's hard to argue with the results -- Francis has a 0.41 ERA, 0.36 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB over 22 innings in those outings. Serven's been adding a little offense as well, batting .280 (7-for-25) in August with three doubles, three RBI and three runs over 10 games.

Stephenson is absent from the lineup in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

He'll get a breather for the afternoon contest but should catch the second game of the twin bill. Luke Maile will be behind the dish for the early game.

Barnes went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Orioles.

Barnes doubled in his second trip to the plate, sending home Gavin Lux and Chris Taylor to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. The backstop then added a leadoff single in the eighth before stealing second and coming around to score. It marked Barnes' first multi-hit performance since July 25, while the stolen base was just his second of the campaign. He was making his return to the lineup following a 10-day stint on the injured list due to a broken toe. Prior to Thursday's two-hit effort, he was batting .052 (1-for-19) in August.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Athletics.

Stephenson extended his hitting streak to 13 games, a span in which he's gone 20-for-51 (.392) with three homers, five doubles, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored. This was his fifth multi-hit effort during the streak. Stephenson is up to a .265/.341/.478 slash line with 18 homers, 55 RBI, 62 runs scored, 23 doubles and one stolen base over 113 contests this season. He's been held hitless just four times over 23 games in August.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

After starting seven of the Dodgers' last eight games, Smith will get a chance to rest Thursday as Austin Barnes (toe) starts behind the dish in his first game back from the injured list.