MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Monday's victory over the Rockies.

Smith has secured at least one hit in each of his first four starts of the season and has home runs in back-to-back games. The 2016 first-round pick has slashed at least .250/.335/.465 in each of his first four MLB seasons and remains one of the more consistent offensive catchers in the league.

Jeffers hit a solo home run in his only at-bat Monday in an 11-1 victory versus Miami.

With the Twins running away in a rout, Jeffers was brought on in the ninth inning to pinch hit for Byron Buxton. Jeffers took advantage of the opportunity, slamming a 417-foot solo homer off Marlins catcher-turned-reliever Jacob Stallings. Jeffers has played in just two games so far this season, but he's gone 3-for-6 with three RBI.

O'Hoppe went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in a 6-0 victory against Oakland on Sunday.

O'Hoppe broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning with a 391-foot, three-run shot off Ken Waldichuk. The blast was his first long ball as a big-leaguer, and it extended his streak of games to begin the season with at least one RBI to three. The rookie catcher was originally slated to begin the campaign in the minors, but Max Stassi's hip injury and consequent placement on the IL has resulted in O'Hoppe starting all three games for the Angels so far. He's seized the opportunity, going 4-for-10 with six RBI through 11 plate appearances.

McCann (oblique) was spotted running the bases Monday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

McCann remains on the 10-day injured list, but the fact that he traveled with the Orioles to Arlington for the team's three-game series with the Rangers is a sign that he's tracking toward a brief stint on the shelf. Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com noted Sunday that McCann has already been cleared for full baseball activities, so the catcher may even have a chance at being activated when first eligible Thursday if the Orioles don't think he requires a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand.

Higashioka went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday in a 6-0 win against the Giants.

Higashioka saw action for the first time this season Sunday while Jose Trevino got a breather. The backup backstop took advantage of the opportunity, belting a solo shot to left field in the fourth inning. Higashioka has shown moderate power by hitting 10 homers each of the past two seasons, but he's firmly behind Trevino on the Yankees' catcher depth chart for the time being.

Raleigh is absent from the Mariners' lineup for Monday's game versus the Angels.

The Angels are throwing southpaw Reid Detmers, so Raleigh will take a seat while Tom Murphy starts. Raleigh has been on the bench for two of the last three games, although he did pinch-hit in the first contest he didn't start.

Bethancourt is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia have alternated turns behind the dish for each of the Rays' first four games of the season, with the latter catcher getting the starting nod Monday. Expect a relatively equitable timeshare between the two backstops to remain in place while both are healthy and producing at a similar level.

D'Arnaud is starting at catcher and batting cleanup for Atlanta's game Monday versus the Cardinals.

D'Arnaud is doubling up Sean Murphy in regard to playing time in the early going, making two starts at catcher and two at designated hitter while Murphy has started just twice behind the plate. It's a playing time breakdown not likely to continue, as manager Brian Snitker seemingly is just riding d'Arnaud while he's off to a 6-for-13 start.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Gomes and Tucker Barnhart have now alternated turns behind the plate across the Cubs' first four games, and a roughly even timeshare between the two could remain in place until one separates himself from the other from a performance standpoint.

Murphy is not in Atlanta's lineup for Monday's game in St. Louis.

Murphy has now started just two of his team's first four games, while Travis d'Arnaud has started all four (two at designated hitter). D'Arnaud is off to a 6-for-13 start and Murphy is hitless in eight plate appearances, so manager Brian Snitker seems to be just riding the hot hand here.