MLB Player News

Sabol went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 9-4 loss to the Mets.

Sabol got the Giants on the board with his fifth-inning solo shot. Both of his homers have come in his last three games. The 25-year-old is playing primarily against right-handed pitchers, but his .190/.244/.405 slash line through 45 plate appearances isn't all that inspiring. He's added three homers, five RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that he doesn't expect Smith (concussion) to return during the weekend series against the Cubs, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The initial plan was for Smith to return to the Dodgers' lineup Thursday against the Cubs, but it now seems that he will have to wait a bit longer. Roberts added that Smith is improving but gave no more details on when the 28-year-old backstop might play again.

Alvarez is not in the lineup Thursday night against the Giants.

Tomas Nido will catch and bat ninth with left-hander Sean Manaea on the mound for San Francisco. Alvarez has started just five of a possible 13 games since his promotion from Triple-A Syracuse on April 7.

Gomes isn't starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes will get a second consecutive day of rest Thursday after going 3-for-12 with two RBI in his last three games. Tucker Barnhart will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 in Wednesday's loss to the Orioles.

The catcher accounted for half of the Nationals' six hits on the night, with none of his teammates collecting more than one. Ruiz has seen a heavy workload so far, starting 16 of Washington's 18 games, and while he's produced a respectable .262/.328/.361 slash line, he's managed only one homer, two runs and five RBI due in large part to the anemic lineup around him.

Herrera was removed from Wednesday's 14-5 loss to the Cardinals in the bottom of the sixth inning after taking a foul ball off his helmet while he was behind the plate, the Associated Press reports.

Gabriel Moreno came off the bench to replace Herrera, who went 1-for-3 with a strikeout prior to departing. The Diamondbacks will presumably put Herrera through concussion tests before deciding whether he's available to stay on the active roster as a backup to Moreno or if the team will need to delve into the minor-league ranks to find a new No. 2 catcher.

Barnes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Since Will Smith (concussion) last played April 12 before going on the 7-day injured list a few days later, Barnes has started at catcher in four of the Dodgers' past six games. Austin Wynns will get the nod behind the dish Wednesday, but Barnes should remain the Dodgers' preferred option at the position until Smith is back from the IL, likely no earlier than Friday.

Nido is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Nido will duck out of the starting nine after he was behind the plate both Monday and Tuesday. Rookie Francisco Alvarez will catch for starting pitcher Max Scherzer in the series finale in Los Angeles.

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

Hedges is getting a breather for the series finale after he started behind the plate each of the past three days while going 2-for-12 with a walk, a stolen base, two runs and two RBI. Jason Delay will form a battery with starting pitcher Johan Oviedo on Wednesday.

Gomes will sit Wednesday versus the Athletics.

Gomes will take a seat after he went 2-for-8 with two RBI and a run scored over the first two games of the series. Tucker Barnhart will take over behind the plate and bat ninth as the Cubs go for the sweep against Oakland.