MLB Player News

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

The Blue Jays' timeshare at catcher has been favoring Danny Jansen of late. Jansen will pick up his fifth start in seven games, while Kirk has received the other two starts at catcher during that stretch. Kirk's lack of usage comes while he's maintained a lowly .513 OPS through 15 games in August.

Jansen will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Guardians.

The Blue Jays' catching duties have been tilting in Jansen's favor of late. He'll be picking up his fifth start behind the plate Sunday in the Blue Jays' last seven games, while Alejandro Kirk has received the other two starts at catcher during that stretch. Jansen will form a battery with starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi in the series finale.

Diaz is not in the lineup Sunday against the Orioles.

Austin Wynns will start at catcher and bat ninth for the visiting Rockies after Diaz went 4-for-8 with two doubles and two RBI in the first two games of the three-game series at Camden Yards.

Grandal will start at catcher and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Though he's back in the lineup for the series finale, Grandal was on the bench for each of the previous four games and appears to have moved into a reserve role while the White Sox prioritize younger players down the stretch. Korey Lee is sitting out Sunday but appears set to operate as Chicago's top backstop heading into September.

Lee is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Lee will take a seat for the series finale after he started behind the plate in each of the past three games following his promotion from Triple-A Charlotte while going 1-for-10 with two walks a run. Though he'll give way to Yasmani Grandal on Sunday, Lee looks as though he's going to get a look as the White Sox's primary catcher down the stretch, at least until Seby Zavala (oblique) returns from the 10-day injured list.

Fortes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Nationals.

Jacob Stallings will get a second straight start at catcher after going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk Saturday. Fortes holds a rough .563 OPS in 269 plate appearances this year with Miami.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Smith will get a breather after going 1-for-8 with two walks and two runs scored in the first two games of the three-game series at Boston. Austin Barnes is starting at catcher for the Dodgers and batting ninth.

O'Hoppe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

O'Hoppe will get a breather for the Sunday afternoon contest after he went 1-for-7 with a walk while starting behind the dish both of the previous two days. Chad Wallach will catch for starting pitcher Griffin Canning in the series finale.

Diaz went 0-for-4 with a walk Saturday against the Tigers.

Diaz didn't have a remarkable game, but his role in the Houston lineup appears secure. He's started all four games since Jose Abreu was activated from the injured list, playing twice at catcher and twice serving as the designated hitter. Diaz will need to be productive at the plate to keep his playing time, as his presence in the starting lineup will likely either push Abreu to the bench or force Yordan Alvarez to play the outfield.

Stephenson went 3-for-4 with a triple, a double and an RBI in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks.

Stephenson was a home run shy of the cycle in his first multi-hit effort since Aug. 1. He's hit a paltry .231 (12-for-52) across 18 games this month, slightly worse than his .247 average for the season. The catcher remains the Reds' top option behind the plate with a .700 OPS, 10 home runs, 44 RBI, 50 runs scored, 15 doubles and two triples through 116 contests. He's also been caught on his only attempt to steal a base this season.