MLB Player News

Bailey is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against Atlanta, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta is starting Spencer Strider, so Bailey probably didn't put up too much of a fight when he was told he was getting a day off. Blake Sabol will do the catching for Logan Webb.

Murphy (thumb) is expected to be cleared to increase the intensity of his baseball activities this week, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Murphy has been sidelined since mid-August with a left thumb sprain but seems to have made a rapid recovery. It's not clear at this point whether he will require a rehab assignment before rejoining the Mariners.

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup Friday against the Giants, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy will get a day off Friday after going 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored during Wednesday's game against the Mets. As usual, Travis d'Arnaud will start behind the dish and bat seventh in Murphy's place.

Heim is not in the lineup Friday against the Twins.

Heim has gone 2-for-24 (.083) with zero extra-base hits and eight strikeouts since returning Aug. 13 from a three-week absence to heal a tendon strain in his left wrist. Austin Hedges will get a rare start at catcher Friday as Mitch Garver serves as the Rangers' designated hitter.

The Angels selected Wallach's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Wallach was pushed off the 40-man roster earlier this month, but he's needed again to back up Logan O'Hoppe with Matt Thaiss (shoulder) landing on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Angels placed Thaiss on the 10-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Chad Wallach has been summoned from Triple-A Salt Lake to take over backup duties behind promising young catcher Logan O'Hoppe. Thaiss has a .223/.330/.344 season slash line across 291 plate appearances.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday against Arizona.

Stephenson will get a breather Friday after picking up a hit in six of his last seven games. Luke Maile will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth in Stephenson's place.

Ruiz (head) is starting as Washington's designated hitter and batting fourth Friday against Miami, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Lightheadedness kept Ruiz from playing in Thursday's game against the Yankees, but he appears to be feeling well enough to play Friday. The 25-year-old has collected a hit in 10 of his last 11 games and is slashing .372/.426/.651 with three homers and nine RBI in that span.

Jansen is not in the lineup Friday versus the Guardians.

Alejandro Kirk will start at catcher as he and Jansen continue to split time at the position. They're both right-handed hitters, so it's not a natural -- nor predictable -- platoon in Toronto.

McCann (hand) is back in the lineup Friday against the Rockies.

McCann will start at catcher and bat sixth after missing a couple of games due to a bruised left hand. He was slashing .464/.515/.714 through 33 plate appearances in August prior to that minor injury and has a favorable matchup Friday versus Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland.