MLB Player News

Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a triple, three RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Angels.

Jeffers picked up a triple in the sixth inning that traveled 416-feet and would've been a home run in 24 of 30 parks and followed up with a two-run blast in the seventh to put the Twins up 9-3. Although he's been a much more impactful hitter than Christian Vazquez (.841 OPS compared to .597 for Vazquez), the two continue to split time behind the dish, and it's unclear if that would potentially change during the playoffs. For the year, Jeffers is slashing .270/.367/.474 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI, 43 runs and a 32:90 BB:K in 317 plate appearances.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said after Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Phillies that Alvarez is dealing with a finger contusion after being hit on the left hand by two foul tips, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press reports.

The injury doesn't sound like anything that will result in Alvarez being shut down for the final week of the season, but it could provide further reason to continue to limit the young backstop's workload. Alvarez had already been splitting reps behind the plate with Omar Narvaez throughout September, so Showalter could lean more heavily on Narvaez as the team's No. 1 catcher for the final six contests. After going 0-for-2 prior to his departure Sunday, Alvarez is now hitless in 13 at-bats over his last six games, dropping his season-long batting average to .211.

Perez (concussion) went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.

Perez missed just over a week with the concussion he sustained Sept. 16. He ended a 12-game homer drought in his return, blasting an offering from Hunter Brown into the seats in the third inning. It's still been a bit of a down year for Perez, who is batting .252 with a .711 OPS, 22 homers, 74 RBI, 57 runs scored and 20 doubles over 134 contests.

Ruiz went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and one run scored in an 8-5 loss to Atlanta in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Ruiz went 6-for-40 (.150) over his previous 10 games before Sunday. The catcher has been noticeably better in the second half of the campaign, batting .284 since the All-Star break after hitting just .226 in the first half. He's at a .251/.301/.397 slash line with 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 50 runs scored and one stolen base through 539 plate appearances overall.

Alvarez (hand) left Sunday's contest versus the Phillies in the bottom of the sixth inning, Tim Healey of Newsday Sports reports.

Alvarez took two foul tips off of his left hand and was forced to leave the game. Omar Narvaez replaced him behind the plate, and more information on Alvarez's status will likely come following Sunday's contest.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Murphy started behind the plate in Game 1 and went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and an additional run scored. Travis d'Arnaud will catch for Allan Winans in the nightcap.

Bailey is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey started the past two games and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale in Los Angeles. Blake Sabol will step in behind the plate and bat eighth.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's the second straight game on the bench for Maldonado, though he's still started behind the plate in four of Houston's past seven contests. Yainer Diaz will step in to catch for Hunter Brown on Sunday.

Rodriguez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Rodriguez started the past three games and will receive a breather for Sunday's series finale. Jason Delay will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Naylor (thumb) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

The 23-year-old was removed from Friday's contest with a bruised right thumb and will sit Sunday for the second straight game. David Fry will work behind the plate in the series finale versus Baltimore with Naylor banged up.