MLB Player News

  • Joe Mack C | MIA

    Marlins' Joe Mack: Collects first big-league hits

    Mack went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Orioles.

    A third-inning single by the rookie catcher brought home Kyle Stowers, giving Mack his first hit and RBI in MLB, and he added another knock in the eighth. The 23-year-old top prospect will get a long look in the starting role from the Marlins, with Liam Hicks -- who got the start at first base Tuesday before taking over behind the plate for the top of the ninth after Mack was lifted for a pinch runner -- seeing more of his playing time at 1B and DH as a result.

  • Astros' Christian Vazquez: Absent from lineup

    Vazquez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Dodgers.

    Vazquez is at the top of the Astros' catcher depth chart following the injury to Yainer Diaz (oblique), but he'll get some rest during Wednesday's matinee. Cesar Salazar is doing the catching and batting ninth in what will be his season debut with the big club.

  • Will Smith C | LAD

    Dodgers' Will Smith: Exiting starting nine

    Smith is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Houston.

    Smith started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he will get some rest during Wednesday's matinee. Dalton Rushing will be behind the dish and bat seventh in the rubber match.

  • Blue Jays' Brandon Valenzuela: Resting up Wednesday

    Valenzuela is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

    After catching eight innings of Tuesday night's 4-3 loss, Valenzuela will be rested for the series finale in Tampa. Tyler Heineman will handle catching duties for the Blue Jays.

  • Liam Hicks C | MIA

    Marlins' Liam Hicks: Slugs eighth homer

    Hicks went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 9-7 loss to the Orioles.

    Getting the start at first base before shifting behind the plate late in the game after rookie catcher Joe Mack was lifted for a pinch runner, Hicks continued his breakout campaign. His seventh-inning solo shot off Anthony Nunez was his eighth long ball of the season in just 33 contests, while the four hits tied his career high. Hicks will likely see most of his playing time at first base or DH while the Marlins take a long look at Mack, but his bat should be in the lineup nearly every day given his .321/.372/.575 slash line and 32 RBI, one back of MLB leader Matt Olson.

  • Orioles' Samuel Basallo: Powers offense in wild win

    Basallo went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a run scored and four RBI in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Marlins.

    The 21-year-old rapped an RBI double in the first inning, a two-run single in the third and an RBI triple in the fifth as part of an impressive offensive eruption by the O's. Basallo has four multi-hit performances in his last 10 games, batting a blistering .395 (15-for-38) over that stretch with seven of his 15 hits going for extra bases (four doubles, a triple and two homers), along with four runs and eight RBI.

  • Giants' Jesus Rodriguez: Homers in Tuesday's loss

    Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a second RBI in Tuesday's 10-5 loss to the Padres.

    Rodriguez has started each of the last two games behind the dish. He went 0-for-3 in his debut Monday, but he didn't have to wait long for his first big-league homer, taking Jeremiah Estrada deep in the seventh inning. Rodriguez is known to have a good eye at the plate and steady contact skills, but that comes with just modest power. The Giants also have Patrick Bailey and Eric Haase on the big-league roster, as well as Daniel Susac (elbow) on the injured list, so the playing-time battle behind the dish may just be heating up. Of the group, Rodriguez likely has the most promising long-term bat, but his defense could initially limit his opportunities. The Giants have a fairly crowded infield, but Rodriguez displayed versatility in the minor leagues, seeing time at first base, second base, third base and left field, which could give him more avenues to playing time in the majors.

  • Sean Murphy C | ATL

    Braves' Sean Murphy: Sitting down Tuesday

    Murphy isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Seattle.

    Murphy went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts during his season debut Monday, and Atlanta will keep him on the bench Wednesday while the team looks to ease him back into major-league action following his return from hip surgery. Drake Baldwin will handle catching duties, and Dominic Smith will start as the designated hitter.

  • Angels' Travis d'Arnaud: Sitting Tuesday

    D'Arnaud is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the White Sox.

    D'Arnaud went 2-for-3 in the series opener against the White Sox on Monday. The catcher will get some rest Tuesday night before a likely start in Wednesday's day game. Sebastian Rivero will start behind the plate and is batting eighth Tuesday.

  • Yainer Diaz C | HOU

    Astros' Yainer Diaz: Officially placed on IL

    The Astros placed Diaz (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

    A left oblique strain caused Diaz to be scratched from the lineup ahead of Monday's contest and will now also prevent him from playing for another 10 days. Christian Vazquez will presumably take over as the Astros' primary catcher while Diaz is on the shelf, and Nick Allen (back) will come off the injured list to claim the open roster spot.

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