MLB Player News

Ruiz will be traded from the Dodgers to the Nationals on Thursday along with Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey in exchange for Trea Turner (COVID-19) and Max Scherzer, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz has been among the Dodgers' best prospects for several seasons, but he has been blocked from consistent playing time in the majors by Will Smith and Austin Barnes. He should have the chance to make an impact with the Nationals prior to the close of the season and could take over as their primary catcher within the next year or two. Ruiz has hit .310/.379/.624 across 235 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season.

Diaz is not in the lineup Thursday against the Angels.

Diaz started the past two games and will receive a day off after going 2-for-9 with a double, a walk, an RBI and two runs. Dom Nunez will start behind the plate Thursday.

Narvaez isn't starting Thursday against the Pirates.

Even with right-hander Chad Kuhl starting for the Pirates on Thursday, Narvaez will get a breather after he went 4-for-10 with a home run, a double, four RBI and three runs across the last two games. Manny Pina will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Stallings had caught each of the Pirates' last three games, so he's most likely just getting a maintenance day as Pittsburgh wraps up its series with Milwaukee. Michael Perez will check in behind the dish and form a battery with Chad Kuhl on Thursday.

Barrera was recalled from Triple-A Rochester as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Barrera was sent down Wednesday, but he'll start behind the plate in the second game of Thursday's twin bill. The 26-year-old has hit .323 with a home run, two doubles, four runs and two RBI since the All-Star break.

Realmuto will sit for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Realmuto sits after going 1-for-3 with a solo homer in the first contest, providing the only run the Phillies would score in their 3-1 loss. Rafael Marchan will replace him behind the plate.

Smith will sit Thursday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith hits the bench after starting six of the last seven games behind the plate. Austin Barnes takes over in his absence.

Adams was sent from the Blue Jays to the Nationals on Thursday in exchange for Brad Hand, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Adams is a decent prospect who has plus raw power but might not hit enough or play good enough defense behind the plate to be a starter. The Blue Jays didn't have much need for him, as their system is full of young catchers, including Alejandro Kirk, who fits a similar profile as a bat-first backstop (albeit with a better feel to hit) and grades out considerably better overall. Adams should have a much clearer path to playing time in Washington, where the top-three catchers are Yan Gomes, Alex Avila and Rene Rivera, a trio who are all in their mid-thirties and who will all be free agents after the season. Adams may wind up waiting until next year to get his shot, but his pop could make him fantasy relevant when that opportunity eventually comes.

Gomes (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Gomes had been taking swings and running recently, and he'll be able to rejoin the active roster without a rehab assignment. The 34-year-old should immediately reclaim his role as the Nationals' starting catcher after he slashed .266/.320/.439 with eight home runs, 33 RBI and 29 runs to begin the year.

The Phillies recalled Marchan from Double-A Reading on Thursday.

He'll serve as the Phillies' No. 2 catcher behind J.T. Realmuto for a few days after backup backstop Andrew Knapp (personal) was placed on the paternity list in a corresponding move. The Phillies are scheduled to play a doubleheader against the Nationals on Thursday, so Marchan should start behind the plate for one of those contests while Realmuto rests.