MLB Player News

Maldonado went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins.

Maldonado entered July with only one home run for the season, but he's now slugged three long balls in his last four games. He'll remain the clear backup to Korey Lee on the depth chart and has typically been drawing a start every three games.

Heim went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Angels.

Heim, who was scratched from Tuesday's game with neck stiffness, returned to the starting lineup Wednesday. The catcher's bat is hot right now; he's hit safely in four of the last five games, including three multi-hit efforts, going 9-for-21 (.429) with a home run and two RBI.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Marlins.

Diaz opened and closed the scoring Wednesday, delivering an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run single in the sixth. This was his seventh three-hit game over his last 15 contests, a span in which he's batting .406 (26-for-64). The catcher is up to a .286/.312/.415 slash line with seven home runs, 48 RBI, 38 runs scored, 15 doubles, two triples and one stolen base over 81 games this season. Diaz isn't a high-end defensive catcher, but his place in the lineup is secure when he's swinging the bat as well as he has lately.

Perez went 3-for-7 with two home runs and four RBI over both games of Wednesday's doubleheader sweep of St. Louis.

Perez started at catcher in Game 1 and recorded a 424-foot solo homer along with an RBI single. He was back in the lineup at DH in Game 2 and belted another solo shot while adding a sacrifice fly. Perez is up to 16 long balls on the campaign, tied for third most among MLB backstops. He's also tied for the lead among catchers with 59 RBI.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Rockies.

Stephenson has feasted on Colorado pitching, going 6-for-13 with five extra-base hits over the first three games of this week's series. Prior to Tuesday, he had gone 22 games without a multi-hit effort. The catcher is now at a .245/.318/.425 slash line with eight homers, 29 RBI, 34 runs scored, 16 doubles and one stolen base over 75 contests.

Moreno was scratched from Arizona's lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against Atlanta due to lower-back tightness, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

The team said that Moreno is still available off the bench for Wednesday's contest, so his back injury doesn't appear to be too serious. Nonetheless, Jose Herrera will start behind the plate instead and bat ninth.

Jansen isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Wednesday against the Giants.

After going 0-for-9 with three walks and three strikeouts, Jansen will get a day to regroup Wednesday while Alejandro Kirk starts behind the plate and bats seventh.

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

Fortes will get a rest after he was behind the plate for both of the previous two games while going 1-for-6 with a double, an RBI and a run. Ali Sanchez will catch for starting pitcher Bryan Hoeing on Wednesday.

Heim (neck) will start at catcher and bat seventh Wednesday versus the Angels.

Neck stiffness caused Heim to be scratched from Texas' lineup ahead of Tuesday's contest, but he seems to be feeling well enough to return behind the plate Wednesday. The 29-year-old has slashed .360/.346/.600 with a homer and three RBI since the beginning of July.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

The newly minted All-Star will get a breather Wednesday while Austin Barnes receives a turn behind the dish. Smith was one of the few bright spots for the Dodgers in Tuesday's 10-1 loss in the series opener, going 2-for-4 with a walk in the blowout.