MLB Player News

Ballesteros went 2-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 8-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Ballesteros snapped an 0-for-16 slump across his previous four games with a strong performance Sunday. Even following the mini cold spell, the 22-year-old is having a tremendous season with a .317/.380/.598 slash line, six home runs and 18 RBI across 30 contests. The Cubs also announced recently that Ballesteros would begin to see more playing time behind the plate, which should elevate his fantasy appeal once he gains eligibility at catcher in most formats.

The Marlins are expected to option Ramirez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida reports.

Ramirez will head to Jacksonville after posting a disappointing .230/.318/.345 slash line with two home runs, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored and three stolen bases over 129 plate appearances in 31 contests with the Marlins this season. The 24-year-old hasn't shown improvement of late with a .200 average and 13 strikeouts over his last 14 games, so the Marlins appear ready to send him to Triple-A for a reset. In a corresponding move, the Marlins are expected to promote top catching prospect Joe Mack from Triple-A, and he could end up serving as Miami's primary catcher while Liam Hicks sees more starts at designated hitter and/or first base.

The Marlins are expected to call up Mack from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida reports.

Mack will get a chance to make his MLB debut during Monday's series finale against the Phillies. The 23-year-old catcher is considered one of Miami's top prospects, and he's slashed .244/.388/.378 with three home runs and one stolen base over 103 plate appearances with Jacksonville this season. Agustin Ramirez is set to be sent down to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move, so Mack will share reps behind the plate with Liam Hicks for the time being.

Campusano is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Though he'll be taking a seat for the series finale, Campusano may have edged ahed of Freddy Fermin on the depth chart at catcher. Campusano had started in each of the Padres' last four matchups with right-handed pitchers, going 3-for-14 with a pair of extra-base hits and a walk during that span. For the season, Campusano is now maintaining a .972 OPS over 54 plate appearances.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Luis Torrens will receive the nod behind the plate for the matinee contest while Alvarez rests. Alvarez made starts in the first two games of the series, going 2-for-9 with a run and an RBI.

Del Castillo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

The 26-year-old finds himself on the bench for the second straight day while the Diamondbacks face another lefty starter in Matthew Boyd, and Del Castillo could soon find his path to playing time against righties narrower as well. Gabriel Moreno returned from the injured list Friday to serve as the Diamondbacks' primary catcher, and Jose Fernandez (.793 OPS in 93 plate appearances this season) has performed well enough to hold off Del Castillo (.601 OPS in 65 plate appearances) for regular reps at DH.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

With lefty Jesus Luzardo on the bump for the Phillies, the left-handed hitter will hit the bench. Agustin Ramirez draws the start at catcher for Miami, while Christopher Morel serves as the team's designated hitter in Hicks' absence.

Marchan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

On the bench for the second day in a row, Marchan has moved back into the No. 2 role at catcher after J.T. Realmuto was reinstated from the injured list Saturday. Before Realmuto's return, Marchan had started five of the Phillies' prior six games and gone 1-for-16.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Smith will take a seat after going 1-for-6 with two walks and a strikeout in the first two games of the series. Dalton Rushing is taking over behind the plate and batting sixth for the Dodgers.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Stephenson started the previous three games and will receive Sunday off after going 3-for-11 with two doubles and a run scored during that span. Jose Trevino will take over behind the plate and bat eighth for the series finale in Pittsburgh.