MLB Player News

Trevino is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Royals.

Trevino will remain on the bench for a third consecutive contest Friday. Kyle Higashioka will draw another start behind the plate and bat ninth in the series opener with Kansas City.

Vazquez is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the White Sox.

The Twins will go with Ryan Jeffers behind the plate as the club continues to rotate starts between its catchers. Vazquez has gone just 4-for-32 at the plate so far in July.

Pinto was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He's taking the roster spot vacated by Francisco Mejia, who has landed on the injured list with a sprained knee. Pinto just came back from an injury himself, having missed the last month with a bruised hand. He'll serve as Christian Bethancourt's backup.

Mejia (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left MCL sprain.

Mejia left Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Orioles early with a left knee injury, which has now been diagnosed as an MCL sprain following an MRI. The 27-year-old will now be unavailable for at least 10 days while nursing the injury. Rene Pinto was called up from Triple-A Durham on Friday and he will serve as Christian Bethancourt's backup at catcher for the time being.

Amaya is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Friday's game versus the Cardinals.

Amaya has made a nice first impression with the Cubs and looks to be the preferred No. 2 option at catcher ahead of Tucker Barnhart. If Yan Gomes is traded before the deadline, Amaya could take on some mixed-league value. Gomes, who tripled twice Thursday -- the 36-year-old has two total triples in his prior six seasons coming into 2023 -- slots in at designated hitter Friday.

Kirk went 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Padres.

Kirk singled in each of his first two trips to the plate and walked in a third plate appearance, but was left stranded each time. He then added a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to put the Blue Jays up 4-0, his first long ball since June 5 against the Astros. The catcher is still hitting just .172 (5-for-29) for the month even after the three-hit performance, while the free pass was his first time drawing a walk in his last 23 games.

Maile went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's win over the Giants.

Maile got the Reds on the board with a two-run shot off Alex Cobb in the bottom of the third and later added two singles, giving him his first three-hit game of the season. The catcher was 0-for-11 at the plate in July coming in, while the home run was his first since May 20 against the Yankees. He's caught all nine starts of rookie left-hander Andrew Abbott, who has a sterling 2.10 ERA and has given the starting rotation a lift.

Gomes went 3-for-4 with two triples, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.

Not known for his speed, Gomes still managed his first two triples since the 2021 season. In fact, he entered Thursday's contest with just two triples total over the last seven years and only eight for his career. The veteran catcher has had a solid season with a .270 average and .744 OPS, but don't expect too many more triples the rest of the way.

Pinto (undisclosed) began a rehab assignment Monday, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pinto has been sidelined since late May with an undisclosed injury, though he appears to be nearing a return. He may get a chance in the majors immediately, as Francisco Mejia (knee) exited Thursday's game against the Orioles and could be forced to miss time.

Mejia will undergo an MRI on his left knee following Thursday's game against the Orioles, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia exited in the seventh inning of Thursday's game. Manager Kevin Cash said that for now the team is considering Mejia's injury a sprain, but there is some concern the issue is more severe. Rene Pinto is currently on a rehab assignment while recovering from an undisclosed injury, though he'd almost certainly be recalled when available to back up Christian Bethancourt if Mejia is forced to the injured list.