MLB Player News

Bernal went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Giants.

In his ninth career MLB game, Bernal nearly put a ball into the ocean at Oracle Park, launching a Blade Tidwell fastball over the right-field wall in the third inning. The rookie catcher has looked good since his September promotion, batting .278 (10-for-36) with a double, two homers, six runs and 10 RBI. St. Louis' system is stacked when it comes to catching -- Ivan Herrera continues to split his time between defensive duties and DH, while Rainiel Rodriguez has made it to Double-A as a 19-year-old and Jimmy Crooks is stuck at Triple-A despite a .994 OPS this season for Memphis -- but Bernal is making a strong case to be part of the picture behind the plate in 2027.

Stephenson is not in the Reds' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Stephenson will get a breather after going 1-for-6 with two walks over the first two games of the series. With Stephenson on the bench, Will Banfield will start behind home plate and bat seventh while forming a battery with Rhett Lowder.

Salas is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Salas is absent from the lineup for the second day in a row and has started only three of eight contests since being called up. The Padres are facing a fifth lefty (Jackson Kent) during that stretch Wednesday, which has contributed to Salas' lack of playing time. He's been in the batting order twice in three tilts versus righties. Luis Campusano will be behind the plate for the Padres on Wednesday.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a hit-by-pitch in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Reds.

Smith has struggled at the plate since returning from a nearly three-month-long absence due to a neck injury. He's gone 3-for-20 (.150) with two extra-base hits and five RBI over eight contests since he was activated. Smith has been eased back into action, and the homer could spark his offense. On the year, he's batting .238 with a .710 OPS, seven homers, 28 RBI, 27 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases over 60 contests.

Goodman went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

The Rockies' bats were held in check by Yankees ace Cam Schlittler, but Goodman reduced the deficit to two runs by taking Tim Hill deep for a two-run homer in the ninth inning. It was Goodman's first home run since Aug. 26 and 37th of the season, tied with Matt Olson for fifth in the majors. Goodman has an .848 OPS with five steals, 78 RBI and 56 extra-base hits over 513 plate appearances this season.

Rortvedt cleared waivers and accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Alex Freedman of okccomets.com reports

The Dodgers designated Rortvedt for assignment Sept. 1 to make room for Will Smith's return from a neck injury. Rortvedt is expected to start In Oklahoma City's game Wednesday.

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The Nationals have fallen into a pattern of alternating between Ruiz and Harry Ford behind the plate, and Tuesday will mark the latter's turn to handle catching duties.

Cavanaugh is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Cardinals, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Cardinals have southpaw Quinn Mathews taking the mound Tuesday, so the left-handed bat of Cavanaugh will take a breather on the bench. Andrew Knizner is starting behind the dish and is batting sixth.

Salas isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

Salas will move to the bench Tuesday after going 0-for-10 with four strikeouts across his first four games in the big leagues. Freddy Fermin will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

The Giants optioned Morgan to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

Morgan was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sept. 1 but did not appear in a game before getting sent back down Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Giants recalled Brett Harris.