San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka is back in the starting lineup as the Padres will look to clinch a series victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Higashioka had the day off on Saturday but has begun to see the majority of the starts behind the dish in San Diego. The 34-year-old began to receive more opportunities while Luis Campusano was on the injured list with a thumb injury but remained the primary backstop since he returned. Since June 26, Higashioka has posted a strong .333/.394/.833 line with five long balls and 13 RBI. Campusano has only made two starts since returning from the injured list last week. While Higashioka may be swinging a hot bat, he should be faded in DFS this afternoon as he will face Atlanta southpaw Chris Sale, who has dominated in the first half of the season and is a front-runner to win the NL Cy Young.
San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka racked up six RBI in Wednesday afternoon's win over the visiting Washington Nationals, smashing two home runs in the victory. After smacking a two-run homer to left field to give the Padres a 2-0 lead in the second inning, Higashioka clobbered his second long ball of the game with a grand slam to left field off Nationals right-hander Tanner Rainey to extend San Diego's lead to 8-0 in the eighth frame. The 34-year-old longtime New York Yankee is worth considering in two-catcher fantasy leagues while starting backstop Luis Campusano (thumb) is on the injured list, slashing a robust .289/.333/.822 with seven big flies and 17 RBI across 45 at-bats during the month of June.
Padres Acquire Michael King, Kyle Higashioka, Others From Yankees
The San Diego Padres officially sent outfielders Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees in a blockbuster trade on Wednesday in exchange for right-handers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vasquez, and catcher Kyle Higashioka. The Padres cleared payroll space and acquired some much-needed pitching help with this massive deal. King, 28, could give the team a solid mid-rotation starter, but he struggled in the big leagues before 2023 and has already dealt with a major elbow injury. Thorpe, 23, was the Yankees' No. 5 prospect and could be a rotation option down the line, but he has yet to pitch above Double-A. Brito, 25, doesn't miss many bats and is likely ticketed for a relief role after struggling as a starter in the majors. Vasquez, 25, has durability questions but could serve as a back-end starter for the Friars. And Higashioka, 34, has some decent power and should serve as Luis Campusano's backup.
Kyle Higashioka Gets $1.46 Million To Avoid Arbitration
The New York Yankees and catcher Kyle Higashioka agreed to a one-year, $1.46 million deal to avoid salary arbitration. The 32-year-old has one more year of arbitration before entering free agency. His workload may have been reduced when the Yankees acquired Jose Trevino, but Higashioka will still get considerable reps behind the plate. This past season, he made 248 plate appearances and molded a .227/.264/.389 slash line and matched his career-high 10 HRs. The veteran may not be the most efficient player at the plate. However, his defensive attributes allow him to keep his job. He ranked in the 71st percentile for framing in 2022, which is quite impressive for a backup catcher. Although, his fantasy value is likely insignificant with Trevino as the Yankees' primary catcher.
Joey Gallo, Kyle Higashioka Land On COVID Injured List
The New York Yankees placed outfielder Joey Gallo and catcher Kyle Higashioka on the COVID-19 injured list prior to Game 1 of the team's doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. In corresponding moves, the team called up relief pitcher David McKay from Triple-A and signed catcher Rob Brantly to a major league contract, selecting him to the team's 26-man roster. It's unclear how long both players will be out, but we could see Marwin Gonzalez benefit from Gallo's absence, while Jose Trevino will serve as the team's starting catcher.
New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka will be behind the plate for Tuesday's Wild Card game against the Red Sox. With Gerrit Cole on the mound, Higashioka will man the catcher spot as the ace right-hander's personal backstop. Starter Gary Sanchez, who hit just eight homers with a .646 OPS in the second half, will head to the bench, though he could have a role late in the game if needed as a pinch hitter. Higashioka did hit 10 homers in the regular season but is most valuable for his defensive contributions behind the plate.
New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka had a big day at the plate Thursday, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and two runs scored. With Gary Sanchez back in the fold, Higashioka should not be on any fantasy rosters, but he's put together a decent season with a .659 OPS and eight home runs. Still, fantasy managers surely have far better options on the waiver wire.
New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka belted his seventh home run of the season in Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Royals. Higashioka gave the Yankees the lead with his 408-foot blast, which left his bat at 103.7 MPH. The backup catcher had a tough day in the field, making a couple of throwing errors, so it was nice to see him redeem himself somewhat at the dish. Higashioka has been the primary catcher with Gary Sanchez on the COVID-19 injured list, though he offers limited fantasy upside, having posted just a .672 OPS this season.
Aaron Judge, Kyle Higashioka Could Return Next Week
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Kyle Higashioka could return to the team by next week. Both players tested positive for COVID-19 but may arrive in Boston with the team and are expected to make the team's trip to Tampa Bay. Judge's bat will be welcomed back with open arms, as he has been the team's most consistent hitter this season, posting a .282/.375/.526 slash line with 21 homers, 47 RBI, and 51 runs scored across 312 at-bats. He should continue to be a steady four-category player for fantasy managers in the second half. Higashioka has produced a decent .433 slugging percentage as Gary Sanchez's primary backup but presents more real-life value than fantasy value as a backstop who ranks in the 92nd-percentile in pitch framing.
New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka belted a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Kansas City Royals. Higashioka's blast registered an exit velocity of 105.3 MPH and traveled 410 feet. He's provided the Yankees with superb defense and some surprising pop, six homers in 89 at-bats, though he has fallen behind Gary Sanchez on the depth chart, given the latter's recent performance at the dish. Higashioka will likely continue to serve as Gerrit Cole's personal catcher, though he shouldn't be expected to make many more starts than that with the way Sanchez is playing.
