MLB Player News

Ballesteros is out of the lineup for the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Ballesteros will hit the bench for a third straight game after he started the first five contests of the season. The previous two absences came against a lefty starter, but right-hander Slade Cecconi is taking the ball for Cleveland in the first game of Sunday's twin bill. Alex Bregman is resting his legs but staying in the lineup at designated hitter while Matt Shaw handles the hot corner.

Rodriguez made his first career professional start at first base with High-A Peoria on Saturday.

After starting at catcher and homering in the season opener Friday, Rodriguez was used at first base Saturday and went 0-for-3 with a walk. All indications are that the Cardinals will continue to develop Rodriguez as a catcher, but they have lots of organizational depth at the position and it's the 19-year-old's bat that will carry him. If Rodriguez does eventually move to first base or another less physically taxing position, it could accelerate his ascension to the big leagues.

Del Castillo served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

Del Castillo made his season debut after the Diamondbacks activated him off the IL on Friday. He batted fifth in the order, which could provide RBI opportunities if he sticks in that spot when he's in the lineup. Del Castillo is expected to get regular turns at DH against right-handers, as was the case Saturday, until Pavin Smith (elbow) is healthy.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with an RBI, two walks and two runs scored in Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Yankees.

The 24-year-old walked in the top of the first inning and later scored on a two-run triple by Heriberto Hernandez. Ramirez then singled home Xavier Edwards in the second inning. Ramirez has just one extra-base hit through seven games this season and drove in his first run Saturday. He's slashing .273/.448/.318 with seven walks across 29 plate appearances.

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

Alvarez will get a breather after slugging a pair of solo homers during Friday's win. Luis Torrens will replace him behind the plate and bat ninth.

Contreras isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored during Game 1 of the twin bill, and he'll now watch Saturday's finale from the dugout. Gary Sanchez will start behind the plate instead and bat fifth.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers.

After hitting the game-winning home run in the ninth inning of Friday's contest, Stephenson will take a seat on the bench to begin Saturday's game. Jose Trevino will get the nod at catcher and bat ninth.

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The Nationals appear to be content alternating between Ruiz and Drew Millas behind the dish, and Saturday marks the latter's turn to join the starting nine.

Alvarez went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs in Friday's 10-3 win over the Giants.

Alvarez went yard for the first time since Opening Day with his fourth-inning blast. He added a second homer in the seventh. The catcher is up to three long balls, three RBI, five runs scored and a double while batting. 286 over eight contests. Alvarez will likely have a majority of the starts behind the dish over Luis Torrens. After back-to-back regular seasons with 11 homers, Alvarez is looking to tap back into the rookie-year power that saw him swat 25 homers in 123 games in 2023 without sacrificing his gains in making better contact.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

Stephenson broke a 3-3 tie in the ninth inning with a two-run shot off Chris Martin that proved to be the game-winning homer. After opening the season 0-for-9, the 29-year-old has recorded hits in back-to-back games. While he's sat out two of the Reds' first seven contests, Stephenson went deep 13 times in 342 regular-season plate appearances last season and has posted a double-digit homer total in four of five years, with the outlier coming during an injury-riddled 2022 campaign.