MLB Player News
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Christian Bethancourt C | CHC
Cubs' Christian Bethancourt: Spearheads comeback with seven RBI
Bethancourt drove in seven runs in Wednesday's comeback win over the Pirates, going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, a stolen base and three runs scored.
Facing a 10-3 deficit in the seventh inning, Bethancourt slugged a two-run home run off Kyle Nicolas before driving in two more runs on an eighth-inning double. With the Cubs trailing 10-9 in the ninth inning, it was none other than Bethancourt who drove in two runs single to give the Cubs an 11-10 lead, completing the improbable comeback. The 32-year-old Bethancourt has been highly productive since being acquired by the Cubs in late July, batting .407 with three home runs, eight runs scored and 15 RBI in just 29 plate appearances (11 games) as the Cubs' backup catcher behind Miguel Amaya. Bethancourt has certainly made a strong case for more playing time behind the plate, but his career .622 OPS indicates regression is coming for the veteran.
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Austin Barnes C | LAD
Dodgers' Austin Barnes: Likely to return Thursday
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Barnes (toe) is slated to be activated from the injured list Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
As expected, Barnes will miss the minimum amount of time after being placed on the IL on Aug. 19. The backup catcher fractured his left big toe in a game against the Cardinals, and Hunter Feduccia has been filling in behind starting catcher Will Smith in Barnes' absence. Feduccia could be sent back to the minors upon Barnes' activation.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Phillies' J.T. Realmuto: Receiving maintenance day
Realmuto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.
Realmuto will get a breather for Wednesday's afternoon contest after he caught all eight innings of Tuesday's 5-0 win while going 2-for-4 with a double. Garrett Stubbs will fill in for Realmuto behind the plate.
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Miguel Amaya C | CHC
Cubs' Miguel Amaya: Sitting out afternoon game
Amaya is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh.
Amaya was in the lineup for the first two games of the series, piling up six hits and driving in six runs. However, with the Cubs and Pirates playing a matinee for Wednesday's series finale, the hot-hitting catcher will grab a seat. Christian Bethancourt will start behind the plate for the Cubs.
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Henry Davis RF | PIT
Pirates' Henry Davis: First start since being recalled
Davis went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts Tuesday against the Cubs.
Davis was recalled to the majors Monday to replace Joey Bart (hamstring) on the roster. Davis drew his first start one day later, serving as the catcher while hitting ninth. He should get some opportunity for at-bats as long as Bart is sidelined, though it's unclear how playing time will be allocated between Davis and Yasmani Grandal.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Taking swings
Moreno (adductor) hit in a batting cage Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Tuesday marks the first time Moreno has swung a bat since he landed on the injured list Aug. 6 with a left adductor strain. The 24-year-old backstop still isn't expected to return to the big-league lineup until well into September, but seeing him resume activity is certainly a positive sign.
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Sean Murphy C | ATL
Braves' Sean Murphy: Sitting Tuesday
Murphy is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.
It's the second straight day and third time in Atlanta's past four games that Murphy will be on the bench. The 29-year-old has a .633 OPS in August and will cede catching duties to Travis d'Arnaud on Tuesday.
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Adrian Del Castillo C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Adrian Del Castillo: Idle versus lefty
Del Castillo is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.
Del Castillo will take a seat Tuesday with left-hander Sean Manaea out on the mound for the Mets. Del Castillo has just one start against a left-hander, but he does have a 1.000 OPS in a small sample size of 11 plate appearances against southpaws. Jose Herrera has the start behind the dish Tuesday for Arizona, batting ninth.