MLB Player News

Heim went 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 10-1 win over the Angels.

Heim continues to perform as one of the best-hitting catchers in MLB. He ranks second at the position in RBI (26), average (.305) and slugging (.568), and fourth in OBP (.374). The 27-year-old backstop is expected to serve as the team's primary catcher until Mitch Garver (knee) becomes available -- Texas manager Bruce Bochy recently targeted a May 23 return -- and likely remain in the role going forward, given Garver's injury history and the team's desire to sustain his availability for the rest of the season by using him as a DH at times.

Rutschman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

Rutschman had started each of the previous seven games at either catcher or designated hitter, but he'll get a breather for the series finale while James McCann and Anthony Santander draw the starts at those respective lineup spots. The move to the bench comes after Rutschman went 0-for-11 over his last three starts, dropping his season average to .285. Rutschman walked four times and struck out just twice during that span, so he still appears to be seeing the ball well at the plate.

Ruiz went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three total RBI in Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Ruiz put Washington on the scoreboard with a two-run double in the fourth inning, then kicked off an eventful ninth with a 431-foot solo shot to right field. The three RBI were a season high for the backstop, who had not knocked in any runs over his previous eight contests coming into Saturday. Ruiz notched his eighth multi-hit game of the campaign and raised his slash line to .248/.311/.376 through 119 plate appearances.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with two RBI on Saturday against the Mets.

Diaz delivered two timely hits to drive in a pair of runs and help the Rockies to the win. He now has four multi-hit efforts in his last five starts, and he's also collected seven RBI in that span. Diaz has quietly had an excellent start to the season, maintaining a .343 average with three home runs, 18 RBI and 12 runs scored across 110 plate appearances.

Zavala went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday against the Reds.

Zavala picked up a rare start behind the plate and took advantage by slugging his second home run of the season. With Eloy Jimenez (abdomen) sidelined for at least the next month, the White Sox could opt to get Yasmani Grandal more plate appearances as the designated hitter -- in turn opening more playing time for Zavala at catcher. Zavala hasn't dictated that outcome with his performance to this point in the season, as he has just a .179 average and 62 wRC+ across 42 plate appearances.

Smith went 0-for-1 with three walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Padres.

Smith was effective despite not recording a hit for just the third time in his last nine games. The steal was Smith's first of the season, and he's never swiped more than three bags in a campaign, so he shouldn't be expected to run much. The catcher is slashing a solid .294/.400/.529 with four homers, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored and four doubles through 85 plate appearances.

Fermin went 1-for-4 with a solo homer scored in Saturday's 5-4 loss against the Athletics.

Fermin took Ken Waldichuk yard for a solo home run in the fourth inning, marking his second consecutive game with a home run. However, Fermin was unable to make an impact outside of the solo shot, with a pair of strikeouts and a foul out in his other three plate appearances. Though the 27-year-old remains firmly behind Salvador Perez on the depth chart, he could push Kansas City to play Perez at DH if he continues to hit the ball well.

Knizner will serve as the Cardinals' top catcher for the next few weeks while Willson Contreras spends time at designated hitter and in the outfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras has looked good offensively, but the Cardinals are unhappy with his performance on the defensive side and aren't going to use him much, if at all, at catcher for the near future. That opens up considerably more playing time for Knizner, though he's unlikely to do enough with it to have much fantasy value. In 197 career major-league games, he's hit .201/.287/.285 with eight homers.

Lee is dealing with a left groin injury at Triple-A Sugar Land, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He has missed the last few games with the issue but is not on the minor-league injured list yet. Lee is hitting .265 with one home run in 98 at-bats.

Jansen will be on the bench Saturday against the Pirates.

Jansen has fallen into a slump at the plate, going 2-for-25 over his last seven games. That's brought his season slash line down to .156/.256/.319, a far cry from his .260/.339/.516 showing last season. Alejandro Kirk starts behind the plate Saturday.