MLB Player News

Smith (neck) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to a neck issue, which will also keep him out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Dalton Rushing will start behind home plate and bat sixth. The Dodgers have an off day Monday, so Smith could be back in action for Tuesday's series opener against the Pirates.

Perez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Twins due to a right thumb injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Perez sustained the injury on a wild pitch that hit him in the thumb Friday. He'll end up sitting for the last two games of the series against Minnesota, but with an offday Monday, the veteran backstop could be back in action for Tuesday's series opener against Texas. Carter Jensen will start at catcher Sunday.

Caratini is not in Minnesota's starting lineup against Kansas City on Sunday.

Caratini will get a breather after going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Royals. Alex Jackson will handle catching duties and bat ninth in Sunday's series finale.

Perez is not in Kansas City's starting lineup against Minnesota on Sunday.

Perez will be on the bench for a second consecutive game. Carter Jensen will handle catching duties while Starling Marte serves as the Royals' designated hitter for Sunday's series finale.

Higashioka is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Guardians on Sunday.

Higashioka will get a breather after starting the last four games. Elias Diaz will get the nod at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's series finale.

Basallo (abdomen) is starting behind home plate and batting fifth against the Blue Jays on Sunday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Basallo was out of Saturday's lineup due to abdominal discomfort but entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter. He's been cleared to serve as the Orioles' catcher for Sunday's series finale while Adley Rutschman operates as the designated hitter.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 in Saturday's 6-0 loss to the Guardians.

Higashioka made a fourth consecutive start behind the plate and figures to continue seeing an uptick in playing time after the Rangers placed Danny Jansen (forearm) on the 10-day injury list. Jansen leads the Rangers with 36 starts behind the plate, but Higashioka (.245) has hit for a better batting average than Jansen (.171).

Jensen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Twins.

Jensen accounted for most of the Royals' offensive production, blasting a leadoff homer in the first inning before adding a sacrifice fly in the ninth frame. Despite Saturday's productive moments, he's hitting .087 (2-for-23) with 10 strikeouts across six games in June. It has been a lackluster campaign thus far for the 22-year-old, as he's slashing .211/.286/.381 with eight homers, nine doubles, 30 RBI and 25 runs across 60 games while splitting time between catcher and designated hitter.

Realmuto isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup against the White Sox.

Realmuto will begin on the bench after starting behind the plate the prior four contests. The veteran catcher will look to reset after going 1-for-18 over his last seven games. Rafael Marchan is starting at catcher for the Phillies on Sunday.

Fermin went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Marcus Semien went yard in the top of the seventh inning to give the Mets a 2-1 lead, but Fermin's two-run blast swung the score back in favor of the Padres in their half of the frame. It's the first homer of the year for Fermin and his first hit of any kind since May 14 in Milwaukee. He's still playing regularly, though Rodolfo Duran has cut into Fermin's time a bit recently while the Padres wait for Luis Campusano (toe) to return. On the year, Fermin is hitting a paltry .133 with a .431 OPS, six RBI, 12 runs scored, four doubles and no stolen bases over 122 plate appearances.