MLB Player News

Murphy went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in a 3-1 win against the Angels on Wednesday.

Murphy was responsible for all of the A's runs in the win, knocking an RBI single off Shohei Ohtani in the fourth inning and swatting a two-run homer off the All-Star pitcher in the sixth. It was the second straight two-hit game for the catcher following a 1-for-14 stretch over his previous four contests. Murphy has gone deep 13 times this year and is on pace to surpass the career-high 17 long balls he slugged last season.

Bart was replaced by a pinch runner in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 3-0 loss to the Dodgers after experiencing slight groin tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bart went 3-for-4 in the contest, but he exited after his ninth-inning single. Slusser adds that the injury is considered minor, and it's unlikely Bart will start Thursday's afternoon game after a night game Wednesday. Bart can be viewed as day-to-day heading into Friday's series opener in Oakland.

Heim went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Orioles.

Heim took Dillon Tate yard in the seventh inning to tally his 13th homer of the season. It was his first long ball since July 3, and entering Wednesday's game, Heim had managed only seven extra-base hits across his last 77 at-bats. Despite the slow stretch, he has a .259/.321/.460 line across 302 plate appearances for the campaign.

Narvaez was removed from Wednesday's loss to the Pirates with a quadriceps strain and will be unavailable for Thursday's series finale, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Narvez went 1-for-3 with a run before being lifted during the eighth inning for a pinch hitter. The injury is exceptionally poor timing for the Brewers, who designated fellow catcher Pedro Severino for assignment prior to Wednesday's game. Victor Caratini should start behind the plate Thursday, but it remains to be seen who serves as the backup catcher if Narvaez is forced to miss any additional time.

Heineman was diagnosed with right groin discomfort after exiting Wednesday's win over the Brewers, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Heineman suffered the injury while running out a groundball and should be considered day-to-day. Jason Delay should step in as Pittsburgh's primary backstop should Heineman require a trip to the injured list.

Heineman was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Brewers with an apparent leg injury, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Heineman went 0-for-2 and suffered the injury while running out a grounder during the fourth inning, and he was replaced in the field for the following frame. The 31-year-old should be considered day-to-day until his status is updated.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Austin Barnes will check in behind the plate while Smith receives a maintenance day. Smith started at catcher or designated hitter in each of the Dodgers' last nine games, going 9-for-38 (.237 average) with a home run, eight RBI and four runs over that stretch.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Willson Contreras is behind the plate Wednesday and Rafael Ortega is getting a turn as the Cubs' designated hitter, closing off both of Gomes' avenues to starting roles. Though the Cubs' decision not to deal Contreras ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline is a negative development for Gomes' playing-time outlook, Gomes should still be in line for at least a handful of starts per week.

Ford has hit .344/.463/.580 with four homers, eight steals and a 24:37 BB:K across his last 34 games for Single-A Modesto.

He opened the season ice cold, so Ford's season-long line still looks good but not great at .266/.412/.423. Nonetheless, the 19-year-old's recent production is far more reflective of the potential he brings to the table. With growing pop and good speed, Ford offers the promise of a tantalizing fantasy package at the catcher position. He's most likely a few years away, though, with his timeline depending on whether the Mariners remain inclined to keep him behind the plate.

Rodriguez has been on fire over his last nine games at High-A Greensboro, hitting .450 with six home runs and nine walks while striking out just twice in 41 plate appearances.

This red-hot stretch has lifted his season line to .294/.388/.533 with 15 homers in 85 games -- terrific results that have put him on the precipice of joining the game's top 100 prospects. Rodriguez may not develop into a big-time power bat, but as an athletic, switch-hitting catcher with decent pop and strong defensive skills, he's looking like an underrated part of the Pirates' return on Joe Musgrove.