MLB Player News

Maldonado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double Friday against the Rangers.

Maldonado took Martin Perez deep in the fifth inning to record his first homer and extra-base hit of the season. Though he also chipped in a double two frames later, the performance did little to make up for Maldonado's dismal performance at the plate to start the new campaign. He now has a .219/.306/.344 line across 37 plate appearances, though he remains Houston's primary catcher due to his defensive work behind the plate.

Bethancourt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Friday against the Blue Jays.

Bethancourt went deep for back-to-back homers with Josh Lowe in the seventh inning. It was Bethancourt's second homer of the season, and he now has an extra-base hit in four of his last five starts. He continues to split time evenly with Francisco Mejia behind the plate, but if Bethancourt continues to hit well he could start to earn additional plate appearances.

Rutschman went 1-for-2 with a three-run double and three walks in Friday's 6-3 win over the White Sox.

Rutschman put the Orioles ahead with his big double in the seventh inning. The catcher has been a key contributor over the last two games with four RBI between the two games. He's off to a fantastic start in 2023 with a .377/.492/.642 slash line, four home runs, 12 RBI, nine runs scored and two doubles over 14 contests. After he posted 13 homers and 35 doubles a year ago, it's a positive sign of growth to see him displaying more over-the-fence power.

Smith is sitting Friday against the Cubs due to an illness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

He was supposed to be in the lineup but came in feeling sick Friday. Austin Barnes is starting at catcher in his place, and Smith should be considered day-to-day.

Smith isn't starting Friday against the Cubs, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smith has caught fire to start the season, slashing .333/.417/.641 through his first 11 games. He will enjoy an off day Friday as Austin Barnes takes over behind the dish and bats ninth.

Nola isn't in the Padres' lineup Friday against Milwaukee.

Nola is currently in the middle of an 0-for-18 streak at the plate, so the Padres will start Luis Campusano in his place behind the dish Friday against Eric Lauer.

Raleigh isn't starting Friday against the Rockies.

Raleigh went 2-for-10 with an RBI and a run scored in Seattle's last series with the Cubs, and he will now sit out the series opener against Colorado. In his place, Tom Murphy will take over behind the dish and bat seventh.

Alvarez is not in the starting lineup Friday at Oakland.

Alvarez has started just two of a possible six games since his promotion from Triple-A Syracuse last week. Tomas Nido is catching and batting ninth for the Mets on Friday night against the Athletics. Daniel Vogelbach is serving as the designated hitter and hitting sixth.

Heineman was optioned Friday to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Heineman gets the boot with fellow catcher Austin Hedges returning from the 7-day concussion injured list. Jason Delay remains up as the Pirates' other option at catcher.

Hedges was activated Friday from the 7-day concussion injured list.

Hedges is set to return to the Pirates on Friday in St. Louis after missing 10 days of action with a concussion. Tyler Heineman has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Jason Delay will stay up to share time behind the plate with Hedges.