MLB Player News

Ruiz went 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Ruiz had just one hit in his previous five games, but he was at the center of the Nationals' offense Sunday. He was directly involved in three of their four run-scoring plays, including a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning that stood as the game-winning hit. The catcher has batted .241 (14-for-58) in July, and that's not far off from his .252/.313/.350 slash line for the season. He's added three home runs, 22 RBI, 23 runs scored and four stolen bases in 301 plate appearances, and he should continue to see a majority of the starts behind the dish over backup Tres Barrera.

Bart went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Bart was one of two Giants with multiple hits in the contest. He also showed off a little speed with his seventh-inning steal. Since rejoining the Giants on July 6, Bart has gone 11-for-41 (.268) with four extra-base hits and a 3:16 BB:K. The catcher is slashing .191/.303/.351 with six home runs, 13 RBI, 19 runs scored, two steals and three doubles in 51 contests, though his 42.8 percent strikeout rate remains discouragingly high.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Sunday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The Mets acquired Perez from the Pirates on Saturday, but he won't immediately join the big-league club. The 29-year-old struggled offensively for Pittsburgh this season with a .150/.209/.318 slash line, six home runs and 11 RBI in 39 games.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Smith started the first three games out of the All-Star break and will take a seat for the series finale Sunday afternoon. Austin Barnes will work behind the plate and form a familiar battery with lefty Clayton Kershaw.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Angels.

The 33-year-old started the first two games of the second half and will receive a breather for Sunday's series finale. William Contreras will take over behind the plate for d'Arnaud and bat sixth.

Gomes is starting at catcher and batting seventh in Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Gomes sat out the last three games but will enter the lineup with Willson Contreras getting a breather in the series finale. Gomes might get a little more fantasy value if Contreras is traded, though the former's .542 OPS doesn't inspire a ton of confidence even if he's seeing more playing time.

Realmuto is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Cubs.

Realmuto will get a day off after he went 2-for-6 with an RBI and two walks in the first two games of the series. Garrett Stubbs will start behind the plate and bat ninth versus Chicago.

Contreras is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Phillies.

Contreras will get a breather after he went 3-for-7 with a homer, two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in the first two contests of the series. Yan Gomes will draw the start at catcher and bat seventh in the series finale.

Narvaez isn't starting Saturday against the Rockies.

Narvaez started the last three games and went 1-for-8 with an RBI and a strikeout. Victor Caratini will take over behind the plate and bat seventh.

Ruiz isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Ruiz started the last five games and went just 1-for-19 with two RBI, two walks and four strikeouts. Tres Barrera is starting at catcher and batting eighth.