MLB Player News
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Luke Maile C | CIN
Reds' Luke Maile: Enters starting lineup
Maile started at catcher and went 0-for-3 in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Cardinals.
Primary catcher Tyler Stephenson was added to the paternity list Friday, which means Maile could handle the catching duties over the weekend. Maile is batting .188/.288/.281 over 37 games.
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Elias Diaz C | SD
Rockies' Elias Diaz: Drawing closer to return
Diaz (calf) ran on the field Friday and Saturday and has made good progress in his recovery, MLB.com reports.
Manager Bud Black seemed to offer a more positive outlook on Diaz's recovery than in recent days, though Black still declined to offer a timetable for Diaz's return. Positively, the manager suggested that Diaz will not need a rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list.
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Kyle Higashioka C | SD
Padres' Kyle Higashioka: Adds to huge June
Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox.
All nine of the Padres' runs came in an incredible fifth inning that saw them bat around before recording an out, and Higashioka got the offensive eruption started by crushing a Nick Pivetta sweeper over the Green Monster. The veteran backstop is having the best month of his career in June, batting .292 (14-for-48) over 16 games with an eye-popping eight homers and 19 RBI -- his career high in homers for a season is only 10. Luis Campusano (thumb) is expected back off the IL in early July, but he will have a hard time wresting significant playing time back from Higashioka given the latter's current form.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Catching in minors Saturday
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Moreno (thumb) will catch five innings in a rehab game in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.
Moreno was placed on the injured list June 22 due to a sprained left thumb, but Lovullo said earlier in the week that he expects the catcher to return after the minimum 10 days. Barring any setbacks this weekend, Moreno will be eligible to return Tuesday for the beginning of the Diamondbacks' road series against the Dodgers.
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Placed on paternity list
Stephenson was placed on the paternity list Friday.
Stephenson was scratched from Thursday's game and then stepped away from the team to be present for the birth of his child. By rule, he can miss up to two additional games.
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Nick Fortes C | MIA
Marlins' Nick Fortes: Out of Friday's lineup
Fortes is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.
Fortes will cede catching duties to Ali Sanchez as the Marlins take on southpaw Cristopher Sanchez. Fortes has struggled to get his bat going this season, registering a slash line of .160/.192/.227. He has just three hits in his last 21 at bats.
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Rafael Marchan C | PHI
Phillies' Rafael Marchan: Swats second homer
Marchan went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday in a loss to the Marlins.
Marchan belted a solo shot in the fourth inning to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. It was the backstop's second long ball over 30 plate appearances this season, which is as many homers as he hit across 224 plate appearances in the minors last year. Marchan has shown much more promise as a contact hitter than as a power hitter during his professional career, though three of his seven hits in the majors this year have gone for extra bases.
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Scratched from Thursday's lineup
Stephenson (personal) was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Cardinals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson was scratched moments before first pitch to be present for the birth of his child. He'll likely be placed on the paternity list and will miss between one and three additional games. Luke Maile took over behind the dish.
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Tucker Barnhart C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tucker Barnhart: Resting Thursday
Barnhart is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.
Barnhart had started behind the plate in three of the past four games but will get a breather for the day game after the night game. Jose Herrera will handle the catching duties Thursday, but Barnhart looks poised to serve as the Diamondbacks' top backstop until Gabriel Moreno (thumb) is back from the injured list.