MLB Player News

Stephenson is not in the starting lineup Sunday versus the Yankees.

Stephenson will take a seat after he went 0-for-7 with three punchouts over the first two games of the series. Luke Maile will take over behind the plate and bat ninth in the series finale with New York.

Bethancourt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday against the Brewers.

Bethancourt was one of three Rays to take Eric Lauer deep Saturday, with his solo shot coming in the fourth inning. He now has seven long balls on the season, three of which have come in his last 15 games. Bethancourt has had an all-or-nothing profile in 106 plate appearances on the campaign, as he has a .267 on-base percentage but a .273 ISO.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Dodgers.

Contreras has gone 5-for-24 (.208) with two homers, seven RBI and two steals in six games since he returned to being the primary catcher. He's now slashing .250/.333/.415 with four steals, five homers, 26 RBI and 21 runs scored through 45 contests this year. He's hit well enough to maintain a spot in the middle of the order.

Plawecki signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Saturday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Plawecki opted out of his minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday, and it didn't take the veteran backstop long to find a new club. Plawecki will need to be added to the 40-man roster to help the Padres in 2023, but a strong showing in the Pacific Coast League could lead to him earning reps with San Diego before the campaign comes to a conclusion.

Smith will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith has delivered his typically excellent performance at the plate this season, slashing .314/.406/.571 with seven homers in 28 games. He'll get a rest Saturday with Austin Barnes taking over behind the plate.

Raleigh is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus Atlanta.

Raleigh will get a breather after he went 6-for-14 with two homers, four RBI, five runs scored and three walks while starting the last four contests. Tom Murphy will take over behind the plate and bat eighth against Atlanta.

Contreras will sit Saturday against the Rays.

Contreras will get a rest after starting seven of the last eight games. His numbers have taken a hit from his .278/.354/.506 line last season, but his .246/.340/.381 triple-slash in his first year as a Brewer is still perfectly acceptable for a catcher. Victor Caratini starts behind the plate in his absence.

Higashioka will sit Saturday versus the Reds.

Higashioka will get a day off after he went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored with three strikeouts in Friday's 6-2 win. Ben Rortvedt will make his Yankees debut at catcher and bat ninth against Cincinnati.

Langeliers went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and a walk in a loss to the Astros on Friday.

Langeliers' third-inning two-bagger plated Esteury Ruiz with what would be the Athletics' only run of the night. The success at the plate Friday was an extension of a productive run with the bat for the young backstop, as he's now hitting .300 (9-for-30) with a pair of doubles, a home run, four RBI, five walks and three runs over his last eight games.

Rortvedt is starting at catcher and batting ninth Saturday versus the Reds.

Rortvedt will make his debut with the Yankees after he was acquired via trade from the Twins in March of 2022. The 25-year-old has had a strong season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .324 with three homers, 10 RBI and four runs scored over 37 at-bats in 10 games. With Jose Trevino (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list, Rortvedt will split time behind the plate with Kyle Higashioka.