MLB Player News

Higashioka went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Higashioka has two home runs over his last five games, and he's hit four long balls while batting .224 over 17 contests in August. The catcher is up to 16 homers in just 66 games this season. He's added a .228/.275/.518 slash line with 43 RBI, 26 runs scored and one stolen base over 212 plate appearances. Higashioka is likely to continue sharing the catching duties with Luis Campusano, though a hot stretch at the plate for either backstop could lead to a corresponding uptick in playing time.

Heim isn't in the Rangers' lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Heim went 1-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts during the early game Wednesday, and he'll get a breather for Game 2 while Carson Kelly catches for Jack Leiter and bats eighth.

Lee isn't in the White Sox's lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Rangers.

After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the early game Wednesday, Lee will get a breather during the nightcap. Chuckie Robinson will start at catcher instead while batting ninth.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Bailey (oblique) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday when first eligible, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since Aug. 18 due to an oblique strain, but he'll rejoin the active roster Thursday after being sidelined for the 10-day minimum. Bailey was slumping in August prior to the injury with a .057/.089/.075 slash line in 15 games, but he'll attempt to close the month strong now that he's healthy.

Bethancourt drove in seven runs in Wednesday's comeback win over the Pirates, going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, a stolen base and three runs scored.

Facing a 10-3 deficit in the seventh inning, Bethancourt slugged a two-run home run off Kyle Nicolas before driving in two more runs on an eighth-inning double. With the Cubs trailing 10-9 in the ninth inning, it was none other than Bethancourt who drove in two runs single to give the Cubs an 11-10 lead, completing the improbable comeback. The 32-year-old Bethancourt has been highly productive since being acquired by the Cubs in late July, batting .407 with three home runs, eight runs scored and 15 RBI in just 29 plate appearances (11 games) as the Cubs' backup catcher behind Miguel Amaya. Bethancourt has certainly made a strong case for more playing time behind the plate, but his career .622 OPS indicates regression is coming for the veteran.

Casali isn't in the Giants' lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Casali will get a day to regroup after going 0-for-11 over his last four games. Andrew Knapp will start behind the dish instead and bat ninth.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Barnes (toe) is slated to be activated from the injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

As expected, Barnes will miss the minimum amount of time after being placed on the IL on Aug. 19. The backup catcher fractured his left big toe in a game against the Cardinals, and Hunter Feduccia has been filling in behind starting catcher Will Smith in Barnes' absence. Feduccia could be sent back to the minors upon Barnes' activation.

Diaz is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Philadelphia.

Diaz started the first two games of the series at catcher, going 1-for-9 with five strikeouts. He'll get a breather during the series finale, with Victor Caratini taking over behind the dish.

Realmuto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Realmuto will get a breather for Wednesday's afternoon contest after he caught all eight innings of Tuesday's 5-0 win while going 2-for-4 with a double. Garrett Stubbs will fill in for Realmuto behind the plate.

Amaya is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh.

Amaya was in the lineup for the first two games of the series, piling up six hits and driving in six runs. However, with the Cubs and Pirates playing a matinee for Wednesday's series finale, the hot-hitting catcher will grab a seat. Christian Bethancourt will start behind the plate for the Cubs.