MLB Player News

Kirk went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Guardians.

Kirk led off the seventh inning with his first home run of the season. He has only two extra-base hits across 77 plate appearances to begin the campaign, resulting in a .313 slugging percentage. There are still plenty of things to like in Kirk's profile, however, highlighted by his plate discipline with a 9:8 BB:K.

Murphy was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to neck spasms, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The injury is not expected to hold Murphy out long term, and the hope is that he can return at some point during the team's weekend series against the Rays. Even so, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Luis Torrens draw a start behind the plate Friday to allow Murphy an additional day of rest.

Murphy was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Rays for undisclosed reasons, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Murphy was slated to return to the Mariners' lineup after sitting Wednesday. Luis Torrens -- already in the lineup as the designated hitter -- is now behind the plate, while Adam Frazier enters the lineup to hit ninth and serve as the designated hitter.

Bart isn't starting Thursday against the Cardinals, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bart started in the last three games and went 0-for-6 with a run, three walks and three strikeouts. Curt Casali will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and an additional run scored during Thursday's 10-5 loss to the Brewers. He struck out once.

Stephenson opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and eventually came around to score on a Colin Moran single. The slugger also rocked a solo shot off Brewers starter Adrian Houser in the fourth inning, but he was one of the few bright spots for the Reds during another brutal loss. It was Stephenson's fourth multi-hit game of the season and brings his season slash line to .263/.356/.500.

Stallings isn't starting Thursday against the Padres, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Stallings has gone 1-for-9 with two runs and a walk over his last three games, and he'll be out of the lineup for a second consecutive matchup. Payton Henry will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Cartaya went 3-for-6 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two runs for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday.

Cartaya's two-run homer in the third inning had an extra level of significance as it came off rehabbing major-league hurler Blake Snell (groin). Cartaya almost went deep again in the 10th, but he had to settle for a two-run, ground-rule double. The backstop's bat has been on fire of late, as he has gone 9-for-14 with four homers, eight runs and 11 RBI over his past three games. Cartaya started the campaign slowly, but he's lifted his batting average almost 100 points with the three-game surge and is now slashing .265/.390/.588 with six homers and 18 RBI on the season.

Jansen (oblique) will do some running and hit in the batting cage after traveling to Cleveland with the Blue Jays on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen took part in live batting practice early this week, and he'll ramp up his activity level and intensity now that he's traveling with the team. The 27-year-old is hopeful he'll be able to start a rehab assignment soon but said the next steps in his recovery will depend on how his body responds to his increased workload.

Rutschman (triceps) will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and is expected to be reinstated from the affiliate's 7-day injured list, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Even though he reported to spring training as the leading candidate to break camp as the Orioles' No. 1 catcher, Rutschman began the season on Norfolk's injured list since he doesn't yet have a spot on Baltimore's 40-man roster. Since returning to action in the lower levels of the minors following a five-week absence due to a right triceps strain, Rutschman has looked healthy and productive. Between stops at High-A Aberdeen and Bowie, Rutschman has gone 11-for-25 with five doubles and four walks. Rutschman's stay at Norfolk will likely last longer than his stints with Bowie and Aberdeen, but if he continues to rake at the plate, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft could get the call to the big leagues later in May or June.

McCann isn't starting Thursday against the Phillies.

McCann started in the last two games and went 3-for-7 with a strikeout. Tomas Nido will start behind the plate and bat ninth Thursday.