MLB Player News
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Sean Murphy C | ATL
Braves' Sean Murphy: Nearing rehab assignment
Murphy (ribs) will likely begin a rehab assignment at High-A Rome on Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Murphy stayed back at Atlanta's spring training complex in Florida to continue rehabbing his fractured rib, and he's worked up to catching five innings in minor-league games. It's unclear how many reps the team would like the 30-year-old backstop to get during his rehab assignment, but he seems to still be on track for a return to Atlanta around mid-April.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Phillies' J.T. Realmuto: Removed from Saturday's game
Realmuto was removed from Saturday's game against the Nationals due to a left foot contusion, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
The move to replace Realmuto with Rafael Marchan in the bottom of the seventh was done for "precautionary reasons." It doesn't appear that Realmuto's injury is of much concern, though it could impact his availability for Sunday's series finale. He went 0-for-4 before being removed from Saturday's game.
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Adrian Del Castillo C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Adrian Del Castillo: Placed on IL
Del Castillo (shoulder) was placed on Triple-A Reno's 7-day injured list Saturday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Del Castillo was diagnosed with a right shoulder strain, and he's expected to be out of action for at least a month, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Del Castillo was unable to crack the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster after losing out to Jose Herrera for backup catching duties.
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Endy Rodriguez C | PIT
Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Getting rest Saturday
Rodriguez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins.
Rodriguez has gone 0-for-6 with four strikeouts through the first two games of Pittsburgh's season. He'll get a chance to regroup Saturday while Jared Triolo starts at first base and bats seventh.
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Padres' Elias Diaz: Day off Friday
Diaz isn't in the lineup for Friday's game versus Atlanta.
Diaz went 2-for-3 with a strikeout during San Diego's Opening Day victory, but he'll give way behind the plate to Martin Maldonado in the team's second game of the season.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Idle Friday
Smith isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
After collecting a base hit in each of the Dodgers' first three regular-season games while drawing five walks, Smith will get a breather Friday. His absence will allow Austin Barnes to make his first start of the year behind the plate while batting ninth.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Sitting out Friday
Moreno is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
Moreno started Opening Day and reached base three times while scoring a pair of runs. However, he will yield to Jose Herrera for the second game of the series as Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo looks to get one of his reserves some work early in the season.
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Liam Hicks C | MIA
Marlins' Liam Hicks: First big-league start Friday
Hicks is starting at catcher and batting seventh in Friday's contest versus the Pirates.
After Nick Fortes got the call behind the plate in Thursday's opener, Hicks will do the catching Friday in what will be his major-league debut. The 25-year-old was the second pick in the Rule 5 draft over the offseason.