MLB Player News

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

Getting the start at DH in his second game since being activated from the injured list, Alvarez supplied all the Mets' offense with a two-run shot off Andre Pallante in the fourth inning, his first long ball since April 11. Alvarez has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games sandwiched around his nearly month-long stay on the IL due to knee surgery, slashing .306/.342/.472 over that stretch.

Sanchez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Athletics.

Sanchez collected his second multi-hit effort in a row. It's also his second straight game with a homer after he went 27 contests without a long ball. The backup catcher is batting .219 with an .845 OPS, seven homers, 19 RBI, 20 runs scored, four doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 130 plate appearances this season. While his power looks to be coming back, Sanchez is no real threat to William Contreras' playing time.

The Dodgers will select Robinson's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Robinson will return to the majors as the roster replacement for Will Smith (neck), who is set to move to the injured list. Robinson has slashed .274/.338/.466 across 80 plate appearances while spending the entire season at Triple-A, though he isn't likely to receive many reps in the big leagues while Dalton Rushing works as the primary catcher.

The Dodgers will place Smith (neck) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

After sitting him down for four straight games because of neck soreness, the Dodgers have officially decided to send Smith to the injured list. Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that the 31-year-old backstop is progressing but has missed too much time to return without a ramp-up period. He'll be eligible to return to the Dodgers' lineup June 19; meanwhile, Dalton Rushing will take over as Los Angeles' primary catcher, and Chuckie Robinson will come up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to provide depth.

Rodriguez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Dodgers with left hip discomfort.

Rodriguez went 0-for-3 before his hip forced him to make an early exit in the eighth inning. The severity of his injury is still unclear, but with Joey Bart (foot) and Henry Davis (paternity) both out, Rafael Flores could be in line to start a game or two behind the plate for the Pirates.

Kelly isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Kelly will miss out on the starting nine for a second consecutive game despite going 4-for-13 with an RBI and a run over his last four contests. Moises Ballesteros will handle catching duties Wednesday while Michael Conforto works as Chicago's designated hitter.

Contreras isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Contreras will grab a seat on the bench after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts during Tuesday's loss. His absence will give Gary Sanchez a start behind home plate, batting sixth.

Crooks is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Andre Pallante has worked in a battery with Ivan Herrera for all but one of his 12 starts this season, so Crooks will take a seat while Herrera steps in behind the plate for the middle game of the series. Since being called up from Triple-A Memphis on May 29, Crooks has started in five of the Cardinals' ensuing 11 games while going 3-for-18 with a double, two walks and two RBI.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Smith (neck) will "most likely" be placed on the injured list, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports. "We'll have to make that decision at some point in time [after Wednesday's game against the Pirates]," Roberts said.

Roberts acknowledged that the three-time All-Star is progressing, but Smith -- who will be out of the lineup Wednesday for a fourth straight game -- has missed enough time at this point that he'll require a ramp-up period before returning to action, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Dalton Rushing will step in as the Dodgers' top backstop for the duration of Smith's absence, and Los Angeles will likely call up Chuckie Robinson or Eliezer Alfonzo from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Thursday's series finale in Pittsburgh to serve as Rushing's understudy.

Smith (neck) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Though recent imaging on Smith's neck revealed nothing overly concerning, the catcher will nonetheless remain on the bench for a fourth straight game Wednesday. Smith was able to do some throwing and take some indoor batting practice prior to Tuesday's series opener in Pittsburgh, but a stint on the injured list could still be in play for the 31-year-old. Dalton Rushing will make another start Wednesday and is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster for the moment, but the Dodgers opened up a spot by releasing infielder Tyler Fitzgerald and can now more easily promote another backstop from the minors if Smith needs to go on the IL.