MLB Player News

Crooks went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI in Monday's win over the Padres.

Crooks provided the game's biggest hit in the fourth inning, lining a two-run double off Lucas Giolito to extend St. Louis' lead. The two RBI marked the second multi-RBI game of the catcher's young career. Since being called up from Triple-A Memphis on May 29, he has gone 6-for-28 (.214) with one home run, two doubles, six RBI and two runs scored. Playing time will be inconsistent for Crooks, as he currently operates in a catching committee alongside Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages.

McCann (quadriceps) is expected to begin playing in complex league games next week, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

McCann has been on the shelf since May 19 due to a right quadriceps strain. However, he was cleared to resume baseball activities earlier this month, and assuming everything goes to plan, he'll face live competition as early as next week. The backstop hasn't appeared in a game since May 18, so he'll presumably need to participate in at least a handful of matchups before being activated from the 10-day injured list.

Kelly is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.

Kelly will hit the bench after he started behind the plate in three of the Cubs' last four games. Moises Ballesteros will get the nod at catcher in the series opener.

Atlanta outrighted Wynns to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Drake Baldwin (oblique) is back from the injured list, and Atlanta has elected to keep Sandy Leon over Wynns as Baldwin's backup catcher. Wynns will remain in the organization as experienced catching depth at Gwinnett.

Atlanta activated Baldwin (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Atlanta is idle Monday, so Baldwin will return to the lineup during Tuesday's series opener at home against the Giants. Baldwin has missed almost a month of action while rehabilitating a strained oblique, but he will cleared to rejoin the active roster after playing one rehab contest with Triple-A Sacramento. The 25-year-old was looking like an MVP candidate before getting hurt, having slashed .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs over 48 games.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Mariners.

The backstop capped his first multi-hit performance in June with a seventh-inning solo shot off Michael Rucker. Since the beginning of May, Ruiz is slashing a stunning .349/.367/.640 over 90 plate appearances with five of his six long balls on the season, along with 10 doubles, one steal, 16 runs and 20 RBI in 25 contests.

Mack went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

The rookie catcher hit his second career homer in the second inning off Paul Skenes, giving the Marlins a 2-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Mack is starting to find a groove at the plate in the majors, slashing .313/.371/.531 over 10 games in June with a double, both his long balls, five runs and eight RBI.

Duran went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three total RBI and two total runs in a 5-2 win against Baltimore on Sunday.

With Freddy Fermin placed on the 7-day injured list early Sunday due to a concussion, Duran got the start behind the plate. He ended up being the star of San Diego's offense, producing both of the team's extra-base hits (an RBI double and a two-run homer) from the No. 9 spot in the batting order. Duran also went deep Saturday after entering for Fermin late in the contest, and he now has four extra-base hits (two doubles, two homers) and four RBI over his past nine plate appearances. Duran should serve as the Padres' primary catcher until Fermin or Luis Campusano (toe) returns to action. He's still batting a meager .176 on the campaign, but half of his six hits have left he park, and he went deep 15 times over 85 contests with Triple-A El Paso last season, so he could provide some temporary pop for fantasy managers in need of a backstop, particularly in two-catcher leagues.

The Diamondbacks outrighted Garcia to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Garcia passed through the waivers process unclaimed after being removed from Arizona's 40-man roster. The 33-year-old accepted an outright assignment by the Diamondbacks in May, and it appears he will again stick around in the organization.

Moreno went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Reds.

Moreno broke a 3-3 tie with an eighth-inning home run, his sixth of the season. The long ball extended an on-base streak to 11 games, during which the catcher has gone 11-for-39 (.282 average) with eight walks, six extra-base hits and four RBI.