MLB Player News

The Nationals announced that Ruiz will be called up from Triple-A Rochester to make his Washington debut Monday versus the Phillies.

The key piece Washington received in the deadline deal that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers, Ruiz has made a quick impression a month into his tenure with a new organization. Over 20 games at Rochester, the 23-year-old switch-hitting catcher slashed .308/.365/.577 with five home runs and 14 RBI. He will likely settle in as Washington's everyday backstop upon joining the team Monday, and his exceptional production at Triple-A should give him a chance at emerging as a fantasy-relevant option over the final month of the season, even in leagues that start only one catcher.

Haase is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Haase caught in both of the Tigers' two games after he was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, so he'll just be receiving some routine maintenance in Sunday's series finale. Dustin Garneau steps in behind the plate to replace Haase, who went 1-for-7 with an RBI in the first two contests of the weekend.

Realmuto (shoulder) is starting at first base and batting second Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Realmuto sat out Saturday's contest with a shoulder injury, but he'll return to the lineup Sunday and will make his first start of the season at first base. The 30-year-old is expected to see more work at first down the stretch with Rhys Hoskins (abdomen) out for the season. Rafael Marchan will start behind the plate Sunday since regular backup catcher Andrew Knapp landed on the COVID-19 injured list.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Southpaw Jesus Luzardo is on the bump for Miami in the series finale, so as per usual, the lefty-hitting Barnhart will give way to Tyler Stephenson behind the dish. Barnhart started in four of the Reds' previous five games, going 4-for-13 with a double and two RBI.

Kirk went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Tigers.

He took Tyler Alexander deep in the sixth inning for the game's first run. Kirk has started six of the last nine games, slashing .318/.360/.545 in 25 plate appearances over that stretch, but Saturday's homer was only his fourth of the year and first since April 30.

Perez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's win over the Mariners.

Perez is having an excellent year at the plate and is riding an otherworldly power surge -- he belted grand slams in back-to-back games Thursday and Friday and has now homered in four straight games. Perez is now second in MLB in homers with 37 and only trails Shohei Ohtani (41) in that department.

Stassi is out of the lineup Saturday against the Padres.

Stassi has a .583 OPS and 39.7 percent strikeout rate through 18 games in August, and he'll take a seat Saturday for the second time in the past three days. Kurt Suzuki will work behind the plate and bat seventh in his place.

Contreras (knee) caught a bullpen session and participated in baserunning drills Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Contreras has been on the injured list for just over two weeks, but he's been increasing his activity level recently. Manager David Ross said the backstop is expected to begin a rehab assignment early next week, which would likely put him on track to return to the major-league club late in the week or over the weekend.

Stallings isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Cardinals, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Stallings will be out of the starting nine for the second time in the last three games after he went 3-for-4 with a run Friday. Michael Perez will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Nido isn't starting Saturday's game against Washington, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Nido returned from the injured list Friday and went 1-for-2 with a strikeout. Patrick Mazeika will take his place behind the dish and bat eighth.