MLB Player News

Baldwin went 2-for-4 with a solo homer during Atlanta's 3-2 extra-inning win against the Red Sox on Friday.

Baldwin put Atlanta on the board early with a solo homer off southpaw Connelly Early in the first inning. Baldwin has smacked a solo homer in three of his last five games and is up to 12 home runs on the season, which is tied for fourth most in the National League. Baldwin is slashing .298/.377/.530 with one steal, 34 RBI and 38 runs scored across 204 plate appearances this season.

The Giants activated Susac (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Susac landed on the 10-day injured list in late April due to right elbow neuritis. He was cleared for a rehab assignment in early May and went 9-for-17 (.529) with two home runs, five RBI and a steal across five minor-league outings. Per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, Susac is starting at catcher and batting eighth against the Athletics on Friday, which means Jesus Rodriguez will revert to a backup role while Eric Haase operates as the third option behind the plate. Christian Koss was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

Realmuto is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

It's a routine day of rest after Realmuto had started at catcher in each of the previous six contests. Garrett Stubbs will be behind the dish and batting ninth in Friday's series opener versus the Pirates.

Ruiz is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Orioles.

Ruiz still leads the Nationals with 23 starts at catcher this season, but Drew Millas has almost pulled even with him, as this will be his 22nd start behind the dish Friday. It's the second start in a row for Millas.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a 5-2 win against San Francisco on Thursday.

For the first time in his career, Smith was inserted into the lineup as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter. He wasted little time making the move look like a stroke of genius, launching his fourth homer of the campaign to lead off Los Angeles' half of the first inning. Smith's eye at the plate and contact skills are befitting of a leadoff hitter, but he isn't likely to slot into that role often. Shohei Ohtani, who typically bats atop the order, was given a second straight day off from hitting Thursday as part of a plan to help him reset, but the two-way star is expected to be back in the lineup Friday versus the Angels.

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBI on Thursday against the Rockies.

Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, but his start behind the plate Thursday was his season debut. He immediately made a strong impression, doubling in his first at-bat before driving in two with a single one frame later. Rodriguez is likely to remain behind Henry Davis on the depth chart for the time being, but Rodriguez could force his way into the lineup if he continues to deliver at the dish.

Rodriguez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rodriguez will begin Thursday's game on the bench after going 0-for-7 with a walk and an RBI over two of the first three games of the series. Eric Haase will work as San Francisco's starting catcher and bat ninth.

Duno has homered in three consecutive games for High-A Dayton and is currently riding an eight-game hit steak.

After a slow start to the season -- Duno batted .203 over the first 20 contests -- the catching prosepct has put on a show in the Midwest League. Since April 30, he's gone 16-for-40 (.400) with seven extra-base hits (four home runs) and nine RBI over 10 games. In addition to the bat coming around recently, Duno has showed off strong plate discipline and swing decisions for the Dragons all season with a .412 OBP, 18.7 BB% and 25:28 BB:K.

Smith is leading off as the designated hitter Thursday versus the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

This is the first time in Smith's MLB career that he is hitting leadoff. He is taking over Shohei Ohtani's position and spot in the lineup Thursday while Dalton Rushing starts behind the plate. Smith has an underwhelming .229/.317/.371 slash line with two doubles and a homer through 10 games in May.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Atlanta.

Kelly started at catcher in four of the previous five games, so he'll get a breather in Thursday's series finale. Miguel Amaya is doing the catching and batting eighth for the Cubs.