MLB Player News

Smith went 4-for-4 with a triple, a double, a walk, one RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 9-1 win over the Angels.

On a night where Clayton Kershaw was perfect for seven innings, Smith nearly had his own piece of history. With the Dodgers far ahead, Smith got his triple in the eighth inning and didn't get a chance to go for a home run to complete a cycle. It was still arguably his best game of the year as he got on base five times and extended his hitting streak to eight games, during which he's batted .452 (14-for-31). For the season, the 27-year-old owns a strong .276/.368/.485 slash line with 14 homers, 47 RBI, 37 runs scored, 13 doubles and a triple in 315 plate appearances.

Jeffers was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right thumb contusion.

Jeffers presumably picked up the injury during Thursday's matchup with the White Sox, when he went 1-for-4 with a strikeout. According to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, manager Rocco Baldelli believes the injury is more serious than a typical contusion, so the 25-year-old may be sidelined beyond the 10-day minumum. Gary Sanchez should operate as Minnesota's primary catcher in the meantime, while Caleb Hamilton was called up to fill backup duties.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Friday's game at San Francisco.

Narvaez finds himself on the bench for the second straight day with the Giants sending out another left-handed starter (Alex Wood). Pedro Severino will work behind the plate for Milwaukee.

Stassi isn't starting Friday's game against the Dodgers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stassi started the last four games and went 3-for-16 with a homer, four runs, two RBI, a walk and five strikeouts. Kurt Suzuki is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.

Zavala is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins.

Zavala started the past three games and will take a seat for Friday's contest. Reese McGuire will work behind the plate Friday in Zavala's place.

Knizner isn't in the lineup Friday against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Knizner is resting after he went 6-for-11 with a double, five runs, an RBI and a walk over the last four games. Austin Romine will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Jeffers isn't starting Friday against the White Sox.

Jeffers went 2-for-7 with a run, a walk and a strikeout over the last two games and will retreat to the bench Friday. Gary Sanchez is starting behind the plate.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Perez had alternated starts behind the dish in recent matchups but will head to the minors after Tyler Heineman was reinstated from the family medical emergency list Friday. Perez should see more consistent playing time in the minors after he slashed .193/.227/.325 with two homers, seven RBI, four runs and a stolen base over 26 major-league games.

Heineman (personal) was reinstated from the family medical emergency list Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Heineman has been away since July 5 but will rejoin the team ahead of Friday's game against the Rockies. Although he isn't starting Friday, the 31-year-old will likely have a chance to serve as the Pirates' primary catcher after Michael Perez was sent down.

Maldonado will hit the bench Friday against Oakland.

Maldonado is hitting just .167/.237/.324 on the year, but his 64 starts behind the plate rank third at the position. He'll sit here after starting eight of the last nine games, with Korey Lee set to catch for Jose Urquidy.