MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

After starting behind the plate in each of the past four games, Smith will get a chance to catch his breath while the Dodgers wrap up their series with Texas. Dalton Rushing will get the nod at catcher and will bat eighth.

Amaya is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Amaya had a brief surge in playing time to begin April, but he appears to have slid back into a part-time role behind Carson Kelly at catcher and Moises Ballesteros at designated hitter. The Cubs will keep Amaya on the bench for the third time in four games.

Bart will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Bart will pick up his third start behind the plate in four games, but he'll likely need to improve his production to firmly overtake Henry Davis as the Bucs' No. 1 catcher. While Davis has disappointed with a .194/.286/.290 slash line over 35 plate appearances, Bart (.368 OPS across 17 plate appearances) hasn't fared any better.

Pages is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Pages will rest up for the series finale after he started behind the dish Friday and Saturday. Ivan Herrera will handle catching duties Sunday.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

After alternating the starts at catcher between Ruiz and Drew Millas in their first 12 games of the season, the Nationals broke that trend this weekend. Ruiz ended up starting behind the dish Friday and Saturday, going 1-for-5 with a double and a run between those games. Though he'll give way to Millas on Sunday, Ruiz's back-to-back starts could signal that the Nationals may be willing to hand him a larger share of the workload.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Realmuto is available for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks only in an emergency while contending with a sore foot, Ty Daubert of PhilliesNation.com reports.

Thomson indicated that Realmuto wasn't in line for a day off Sunday, but the Phillies are choosing to hold him out after the backstop took a foul ball off his foot during Saturday's 4-3 win. Rafael Marchan will handle catching duties in the series finale, but Realmuto could be ready to step back in behind the plate for Monday's game against the Cubs.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Hicks had started the Marlins' last four games, but he'll take a seat against Tarik Skubal. He'll be joined on the bench by fellow left-handed hitters Graham Pauley and Owen Caissie.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Alvarez started the previous six games and went 6-for-19 (.316) with three walk and a homer during that span, and he'll get a well-deserved day off. Luis Torrens will step in behind the plate to do the catching for righty Freddy Peralta.

Realmuto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Realmuto will head to the bench for Sunday's series finale after going 1-for-8 with a double and four strikeouts in the first two games of the series. Rafael Marchan will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.

Del Castillo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

The left-handed hitter had been in the lineup at designated hitter or catcher in Arizona's last four games, but he'll hit the bench Sunday against righty Andrew Painter. At least until the Diamondbacks get one or two of Gabriel Moreno (back), Carlos Santana (adductor), Pavin Smith (elbow) and Lourdes Gurriel (knee) back from the injured list, Del Castillo should have a fairly clear path to a strong-side platoon role.