MLB Player News

Diaz is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Guardians, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Diaz started the first two games of the series with Cleveland, going 2-for-6 with two walks and a run scored. He'll now take a seat in favor of Brian Serven, who will take over behind the plate and bat ninth in the series finale with the Guardians.

Sabol went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Sabol was the hero for the Giants on Tuesday, as he sent a slider from Ryan Helsley 428 feet to center field to lead San Francisco to a walkoff victory. After his second multi-hit game of the season, the rookie's slash line now sits at .224/.269/.469 and a 1:23 BB:K over 52 plate appearances. The 25-year-old catcher is striking out at a 44 percent clip this season, and unless he shows major improvement in that regard, he'll likely remain a major batting-average risk.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's victory over the Mets.

Ruiz flashed some power Tuesday, swatting his second home run of the season off Jose Butto in the second inning. Ruiz has an impressive .288/.350/.425 slash line through 80 plate appearances, but his fantasy value is somewhat capped by the Nationals' offensive woes and Ruiz's typically modest power.

Gomes went 4-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's 6-0 win over the Padres.

Gomes connected for a two-run home run in the second inning, his fifth of the season, then added an RBI single in the eighth. The big game pushed his average up to .309 to go along with a strong .898 OPS. Meanwhile, Tucker Barnhart is batting only .200 with a .450 OPS. At this rate, Gomes could secure a larger share of the playing time behind the plate, though both catchers will continue to see the field with Gomes looking like the preferred option against lefties.

Bart (groin) said he might be available off the bench Tuesday against the Cardinals, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bart is not in the Giants' starting lineup Tuesday after making an early exit from Monday's series opener versus the Cardinals due to right groin tightness. He underwent an MRI that fortunately ruled out any structural damage. Blake Sabol is getting the start at catcher and batting eighth Tuesday, but this should not be an extended absence for Bart.

Manager Dave Roberts said Smith (concussion) is slated to take live batting practice Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

After taking part in agility work Tuesday, Smith will take what appears to be another step forward in his recovery from a concussion by facing pitching. The Dodgers don't plan to activate Smith for the team's three-game series in Pittsburgh, but he could be ready to return from the 7-day injured list ahead of Friday's series opener versus the Cardinals in Los Angeles.

Bart (groin) isn't in the Giants' lineup Tuesday against the Cardinals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bart was removed from Monday's contest due to right groin tightness, and he will be held out Tuesday as well. In his absence, Blake Sabol will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.

Barnhart will be on the bench for the second straight game, with both absences coming with the Cubs facing left-handed pitchers. Though Yan Gomes has logged 25 more plate appearances this season, Barnhart appears to have taken hold of a strong-side platoon role at catcher. Twenty-six of Barnhart's 28 plate appearances to date have come versus right-handed pitching, while Gomes has made only 31 of his 53 plate appearances against righties.

Nido is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

Even though the Mets were off Monday, Nido will take a seat for the second straight game, as rookie Francisco Alvarez draws another turn behind the dish. Since Alvarez was called up from Triple-A Syracuse on April 7, Nido has taken on the bulk of the starts by virtue of his defensive acumen, but the veteran's anemic .281 OPS on the season could make it difficult for him to justify hanging on to the No. 1 role. Alvarez (.148/.148/.259 slash line in 27 plate appearances) hasn't stood out at the plate since being called up, either, but he'll be rewarded with another start after slugging a home run in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Giants.

Alvarez is starting at catcher and batting ninth Tuesday against the Nationals.

Alvarez connected for his first major-league homer of the season in Sunday's series finale against the Giants and will be rewarded with a second straight start behind the dish as the Mets open a three-game set versus Washington. Tomas Nido is sitting.