MLB Player News

Bethancourt went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's 6-3 win over the Cardinals.

Bethancourt provided a key blast against new St. Louis starter Erick Fedde, which proved to be the difference in the game. It was just the third home run of the season for Bethancourt, who is batting .183 with a .547 OPS while playing for both the Marlins and now the Cubs. However, in four games since having his contract selected from Triple-A Iowa, the catcher has gone 4-for-11 with two extra-base hits and four RBI. Bethancourt will likely slow down at some point, and his fantasy appeal is limited by his timeshare with Miguel Amaya behind the plate.

Moreno (wrist) is starting behind the plate and batting sixth Friday against the Pirates.

The 24-year-old was on the bench Wednesday after being struck in the wrist by a foul ball during Tuesday's contest, but he's back in the starting nine after Arizona's team day off Thursday. Moreno delivered his most productive month of the season in July with six doubles, a homer, 14 RBI, 11 runs and an .864 OPS in 22 games.

Ruiz (groin) will start at catcher and bat sixth in Friday's game versus the Brewers, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz had to depart the Nationals' last game on Wednesday in Arizona with a groin injury, but he won't wind up missing any starts. The switch-hitting catcher hit four home runs in July, doubling his season total.

The Reds optioned Yang to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Yang served as Tyler Stephenson's backup while Luke Maile (back) and Austin Wynns (shoulder) were sidelined, but Maile is back now to reclaim that gig. The 26-year-old Yang struck out in his lone plate appearance.

The Reds activated Maile (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Maile has been out since early July with a herniated disc in his back but is ready to go after playing a couple rehab games with Triple-A Louisville. He'll regain his role as the backup catcher behind starter Tyler Stephenson.

Porter cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Friday.

Porter joined New York on a major-league contract in mid-July and was designated for assignment Tuesday without appearing in a game. The 29-year-old has also spent time in the Giants and Royals organizations this season, and he has a combined .858 OPS in 57 games at the Triple-A level.

Amaya is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

He was behind the dish for the series opener Thursday but will yield to Christian Bethancourt for Friday's afternoon tilt. Amaya has now made five starts to Bethancourt's three since Tomas Nido (knee) went on the injured list.

The Giants optioned Sabol to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Sabol had been recalled Tuesday but was sent back down two days later without having appeared in a game. He made room on the active roster for trade acquisition Mark Canha.

Feduccia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Feduccia was called up Saturday and made his debut as a pinch hitter Wednesday. He'll make way off the roster for the newly acquired Kevin Kiermaier.

Diaz isn't in the Rockies' lineup Thursday versus the Angels.

Diaz will take a seat for Thursday's series finale after going 2-for-8 with a run scored over the first two games of the series. Jacob Stallings will start behind the dish instead and bat eighth.