MLB Player News

Heineman (head) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Heineman exited his most recent start Saturday due to a head contusion, but he avoided a concussion and made enough improvement to play the final two innings of Monday's 15-1 win. He'll make his return to the starting lineup Wednesday, but Heineman is expected to see few opportunities moving forward after top backstop Alejandro Kirk was reinstated from the 7-day injured list Sunday.

Tellez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

The left-handed-hitting Tellez will retreat to the bench for the second time in the series while the Rangers face another left-handed starter (Carlos Rodon). Tellez had started at first base in each of Texas' previous five matchups against right-handers, but he could see his opportunities to play versus opposite-handed pitching dwindle once Josh Jung is ready to play third base after a recent bout with a calf injury. Josh Smith will cover third base Wednesday while Jung serves as a designated hitter for his second start in a row, but Smith is likely to eventually move back across the diamond.

The Astros optioned Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

The transaction comes one day after Blubaugh picked up his first major-league victory, allowing two runs over five frames against the Marlins in a bulk-relief appearance. Blubaugh will rejoin the rotation at Sugar Land and could get another opportunity in the big leagues later this season if the Astros need a starter.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

The left-handed-hitting Pederson will head to the bench for the second time in the series while the Yankees send another southpaw (Carlos Rodon) to the bump. Josh Jung will step in for Pederson as the Rangers' designated hitter.

The Astros activated Arrighetti (thumb) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in Miami.

The right-hander wound up missing almost exactly four months after suffering a fractured right thumb back in early April. Prior to being activated, Arrighetti held a 5.73 ERA and 11:5 K:BB in 11 innings over three rehab starts between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. He threw 79 pitches in his final rehab outing with Sugar Land last Thursday, so he'll be in line for a somewhat limited workload Wednesday.

Stanton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

With a .970 OPS since the All-Star break, Stanton has been one of the Yankees' hottest hitters over the past two and a half weeks, but he looks like he'll have to settle for more of a part-time role for the foreseeable future. Aaron Judge returned from the injured list Tuesday but will be likely be limited to playing designated hitter for at least the next few weeks while his right flexor strain affects his throwing, and the Yankees won't be looking to bench the two-time AL MVP in favor of Stanton. Instead, the Yankees plan on eventually giving Stanton some exposure to the corner outfield, but the 35-year-old is still waiting to make his 2025 debut on defense. Given his durability concerns, Stanton likely won't be asked to play right or left field on an everyday basis once the Yankees are comfortable deploying him on defense, and the lack of consistent starting opportunities could be enough to make him a drop in many fantasy leagues even while he continues to hit well.

Loperfido (knee) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Colorado.

Loperfido exited Tuesday's 10-4 win after getting hit on the right knee by a pitch. X-rays came back negative, but it's not a surprise that the left-handed-hitting Loperfido will be held out Wednesday, particularly with the Rockies sending southpaw Kyle Freeland to the hill. Loperfido could be ready to play Friday versus the Dodgers after a team off day Thursday. Davis Schneider will start in left field and bat leadoff for the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Goldschmidt will get a breather after he went 3-for-8 with a solo home run, a double and three runs while picking up starts in the first two games of the series. Since the All-Star break, Goldschmidt is slashing just .224/.269/.347, and his struggles against right-handing pitching in particular throughout the season (66 wRC+ over 301 plate appearances) could eventually put him in danger of fading into a quasi-platoon with the left-handed-hitting Ben Rice, who will cover first base and bat second Wednesday.

Varsho is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Colorado.

Varsho has gone 5-for-10 with three home runs in the first two games of the series, but since he just returned from the injured list a few days ago, the Blue Jays don't want to overextend him. Myles Straw will get a turn in center field and will bat ninth Wednesday.

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Colorado.

Kirk started at catcher in each of the last three games after returning from the 7-day injured list, so he'll get some rest during Wednesday's matinee. Tyler Heineman will be behind the dish and bat eighth as Toronto goes for the sweep.