MLB Player News

The Nationals reinstated Ruiz (illness) from the 10-day injured list Thursday. He'll start at catcher and bat fifth in the Nationals' series finale versus the Dodgers.

Ruiz missed the Nationals' last 11 games while recovering from a case of influenza. He checked out fine after making two rehab appearances with Double-A Harrisburg earlier this week and should settle back in as the Nationals' No. 1 catcher now that he's been activated from the IL. Washington optioned catcher Drew Millas to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.

Bart will start at catcher and bat cleanup Thursday against the Brewers.

Bart has been included in the lineup in four of the past six games and appears to have surpassed Henry Davis on the depth chart at catcher. The eventual return of Yasmani Grandal (foot) from the 10-day injured list could cost Bart some playing time, but for now, the 27-year-old should garner the lion's share of starts behind the dish while he's swinging a hot bat. Bart heads into Thursday's game with a 1.119 OPS over 23 plate appearances on the season.

Davis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Brewers.

He has now started just two of the previous six games and will give way to Joey Bart behind the dish Thursday. Davis is slashing just .180/.288/.230 with a 31.1 percent strikeout rate this season, and with Yasmani Grandal (foot) nearing a return, he could find himself back in the minors soon.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Stephenson will get a well-deserved breather for Thursday's day game after he started in each of Cincinnati's last seven games, with six of those starts coming behind the plate. Luke Maile will get the nod at catcher Thursday and form a battery with starting pitcher Nick Martinez.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Padres on Wednesday.

Diaz accounted for half of the Rockies' runs in the contest with his solo shot to center field in the eighth inning. The blast snapped a 19-game homerless drought for the backstop, who belted 14 long balls last season. Despite the modest power output thus far, Diaz has had a nice start to the campaign with a .312/.357/.429 slash line and 11 RBI.

Murphy (oblique) was able to catch bullpen sessions Tuesday and Wednesday but has yet to resume swinging a bat, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy's ability to throw at full strength while donning his full catching equipment represents a positive step forward in his recovery from a Grade 1 left oblique strain, but until he starts swinging the bat again, his return from the 10-day injured list shouldn't be viewed as imminent. The backstop has been on the shelf since March 30 with the injury.

Amaya is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Though he'll give way to Yan Gomes behind the dish Wednesday, Amaya seems to have edged ahead of the veteran on the depth chart at catcher. Amaya started in four of the previous five games and owns a 302-point edge in OPS over Gomes for the season (.772 to .470).

Campusano is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Campusano will get a rest day after starting six of eight games in the Padres' last three series. The 25-year-old catcher is slashing .288/.321/.413 with 14 RBI through 84 plate appearances on the year.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

D'Arnaud looks to be getting a breather after he caught both of the first two games of the series versus the Marlins. Chadwick Tromp will be behind the plate Wednesday, forming a battery with starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez.

The Marlins optioned Pereda to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Pereda served as the No. 2 catcher behind Nick Fortes while Christian Bethancourt (illness) was on the 10-day injured list. but he's no longer needed with Bethancourt getting activated Wednesday. The 28-year-old went hitless in five plate appearances in what was his first stint in the big leagues.