MLB Player News

Higashioka is catching and batting ninth for the Yankees on Saturday against Miami, marking the third straight game that he has started behind the plate.

Early in the week it appeared that Higashioka had fallen behind Ben Rortvedt on the depth chart after sitting four times in a span of six games, but that trend has since reversed with the former logging three straight starts at catcher. Higashioka may have helped his case the last time he began a contest on the bench, as he came on as a pinch hitter Aug. 8 against the White Sox and slugged a two-run homer. The veteran added three hits and a pair of RBI in Friday's win over the Marlins, so manager Aaron Boone may be riding the hot bat as the Yankees attempt to move into playoff position. While Higashioka hasn't been great this season with a .235/.274/.390 slash line, seven homers, 30 RBI and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate, Rortvedt is slashing a measly .107/.265/.143 with no homers and one RBI, though he does boast an impressive 17.6 percent walk rate.

Maldonado will hit the bench for the second time in three games Saturday against the Angels.

Yordan Alvarez's return from an oblique injury in late July bumped Yainer Diaz from the designated hitter spot and into more of a competition with Maldonado behind the plate. Prior to Alvarez's return, Maldonado started 75 of 102 games behind the plate (74 percent). With Alvarez back in the fold, Maldonado has gotten the nod 10 times in 16 games, or 62.5 percent of the time. That's still enough to make him the clear primary backstop, but his .181/.249/.317 slash line leaves him with minimal fantasy value even in that role.

Naylor is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays.

Naylor has struggled so far in August, going 2-for-21 at the plate in eight games, though his 6:6 K:BB over that stretch suggests he's still seeing the ball well. Cam Gallagher will start behind the plate Saturday.

Bethancourt will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bethancourt hits the bench after starting four of the last five games. He's seen his playing time slightly increase while Francisco Mejia (knee) is on the injured list, but it will be Rene Pinto who squats behind the plate Saturday.

Rogers will sit Saturday against Boston.

Rogers' lopsided .211/.286/.439 slash line is good for a respectable 98 wRC+, and his 14 homers tie him for 10th among all catchers. Eric Haase will take over behind the plate Saturday.

Wong will sit for the third time in four games Saturday against the Tigers.

Wong has started 77 of Boston's 117 games behind the plate this season, the eight-highest total in the league among catchers. His .244/.298/.389 slash line isn't particularly impressive, though Saturday's starter Reese McGuire owns a similar .267/.305/.367 line, which doesn't signal that the depth chart is about to flip.

Fortes isn't in the Marlins' lineup Saturday against the Yankees.

Fortes has collected a base hit in three of his last five games and will take a seat for Saturday's contest against New York. Jacob Stallings will start behind the dish and bat ninth in Fortes' absence.

Langeliers went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a walk in a loss to the Nationals on Friday.

Langeliers posted the only multi-hit effort of the night for the Athletics while also swiping his second base of the season. The 25-year-old has hit safely in five of his first seven starts of August, a stretch where he's partly offset a 24.0 percent strikeout rate by walking at a 12.0 percent clip.

Jansen (hand) remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Jansen hasn't played since behind hit by a pitch Thursday against the Guardians. He was diagnosed with nothing worse than a hand contusion, but it will again be Alejandro Kirk who starts behind the plate Saturday.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

Alvarez could be back in action for the nightcap, but Omar Narvaez will start behind the dish for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader and bat seventh.