MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in a loss to the Reds on Friday.

Smith gave the Dodgers a two-run lead with his solo shot in the top of the fifth inning, but the advantage was short-lived, as Cincinnati plated six runs in the bottom of the frame. The All-Star catcher has batted just 3-for-19 over his past six games, though all three of the hits have gone for extra bases, including two that have left the yard. Smith is sporting a solid .298/.368/.482 slash line over 193 plate appearances on the season.

D'Arnaud isn't in Atlanta's lineup for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.

After going 2-for-4 with two RBI during Friday's loss, d'Arnaud will take a seat Saturday while Chadwick Tromp starts behind the plate, batting eighth.

Ruiz went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's win over the Mariners.

The 25-year-old catcher has had a rough season so far, and Friday's long ball off George Kirby snapped a 19-game homer drought for Ruiz. Through 31 contests, he's slashing a feeble .171/.207/.270 with three home runs and 10 RBI, but his bat could be waking up -- over his last six starts, he's batting .316 (6-for-19) with two doubles in addition to Friday's blast.

Nido isn't in the Mets' lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Nido will get a day off after going 0-for-2 with a sac fly during Friday's series opener. Omar Narvaez will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Bailey went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and a stolen base in Friday's 8-7 win over the Mets.

The 24-year-old backstop took Reed Garrett deep in the eighth inning to put the Giants ahead 7-6 and help them make history, as they became only the fourth team since 1900 to win three straight games in which it had been trailing in by four or more runs. Bailey has gone 5-for-11 in four games since returning from a concussion, and on the season he's slashing .301/.352/.495 with four homers, two steals, 13 runs and 16 RBI in 30 contests.

Stallings hit a solo home run in his only plate appearance in Friday's 3-2 11-inning win over the Phillies.

Stallings entered the game as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning and took Jose Alvarado yard to tie the game at 2-2. It was his third home run of the season, all of which have come in May. Even with the positive results for Stallings, Elias Diaz will continue to pick up the majority of starts behind the plate for the Rockies.

Alvarez (thumb) is set to participate in batting practice Saturday, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Alvarez landed on the 10-day IL after tearing the UCL in his left thumb April 19, and the 22-year-old catcher is on track for a return by late June. Alvarez was slashing .236/.288/.364 with one home run and eight RBI over 59 plate appearances prior to his injury.

Reetz was designated for assignment by the Giants on Friday.

Reetz will be placed on waivers, but after going 1-for-12 in the big leagues this season, it's unlikely the 28-year-old will be claimed. If he does go unclaimed, Reetz would be expected to remain within the Giants organization.

Grandal (groin) is catching and batting eighth Friday against Atlanta, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Grandal missed a pair of games with soreness in his left groin but will return to the starting lineup Friday against lefty Ray Kerr. Grandal is batting .220 with two home runs in 13 games on the year.

Murphy (oblique) went 2-for-6 with a double, a home run and two RBI for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The rehabbing catcher got the start at designated hitter and launched a solo shot off Valente Bellozo in the fourth inning, Murphy's second home run in two games for Gwinnett. Atlanta may want to make sure he's ready for regular defensive duties before activating him from the IL, but based on how he's looked at the plate, the 29-year-old should be back with the major-league team at some point this weekend.