MLB Player News

Smith went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Saturday's extra-inning loss to St. Louis.

Smith came through twice in run-scoring opportunities, knocking in a run with a single in the fifth inning and repeating the feat in the seventh. The All-Star catcher is off to a nice start to the campaign, collecting at least one hit in each of his first five games and slashing .455/.500/.545 with four RBI through 22 plate appearances. He's yet to sit out a contest and should have plenty of opportunities to produce this season while batting cleanup behind Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.

Sanchez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

The 27-year-old was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh ahead of the season opener but will stick in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Sanchez will provide catching depth at Indianapolis.

Realmuto went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 12-4 loss to Atlanta.

The 33-year-old catcher tagged Jesse Chavez for his first long ball of the season in the third inning, but the Phillies were already in a 7-3 hole before he'd even stepped into the batter's box. Realmuto's .762 OPS last year was his lowest mark since 2015, his first full season in the majors, while his 25.7 percent strikeout rate was a career worst. Even so, he still delivered 20 homers and 16 steals in 135 games, and unless the bottom completely falls out for him in 2024, Realmuto should be one of the top fantasy options behind the plate.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Reds.

Ruiz drove in the game's first run in the fourth inning, hit his first home run of the season in the eighth and drove in the game-tying run on a hit-by-pitch in the ninth. His long ball snuck just inside the right-field foul pole and was estimated at 397 feet. Now 25 years old, Ruiz will attempt to build on a strong 2023 season in which he hit 18 homers with 67 RBI.

Murphy was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Murphy landed on the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's game with an injury suffered in Friday's opener, but an MRI has revealed a best-case scenario. He will be eligible for activation April 9, and while Murphy might not be ready at that time, it shouldn't be a lengthy absence. Travis d'Arnaud will be Atlanta's regular catcher while Murphy is out.

Contreras isn't in the Cardinals' lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras will catch a breather Saturday after starting the year 1-for-7 with three strikeouts across St. Louis' first two games. Ivan Herrera will fill in behind the dish and bat sixth.

Bailey isn't in the Giants' lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bailey will catch a breather Saturday after going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Friday's win. Tom Murphy will start behind the plate instead and bat eighth.

Campusano isn't in the Padres' lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Campusano is 6-for-18 with two RBI through the Padres' first four games of the year, and he'll get his first day off of the season Saturday. Kyle Higashioka will get the nod behind the plate and bat ninth.

Fortes isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Fortes will sit out his second straight game after going 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch Thursday. Christian Bethancourt will again get the starting nod behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against the Nationals.

Stephenson went 1-for-4 with an RBI to begin the season Thursday, and he'll take a seat Saturday to give Luke Maile his first start of the year. The 27-year-old Stephenson still projects to start behind the dish most days for the Reds in 2024.