MLB Player News

Stephenson (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

The catcher's scoring contributions came in the fourth inning, when he drove in a run on a fielder's choice and scored on a Kyle Farmer double. Stephenson missed two games with the hamstring injury, but he should go back to splitting time with Tucker Barnhart behind the plate. Through 281 plate appearances, Stephenson has a .282/.370/.419 slash line, six home runs, 34 RBI, 44 runs scored and 15 doubles.

Rutschman was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutschman appeared in 80 games at Double-A Bowie to begin the year, and he slashed .271/.392/.508 with 18 homers, 61 runs, 55 RBI and a stolen base. The 23-year-old will test his skills against the top level of minor-league talent, and he'll be in the mix for a late-season debut in the big leagues if he performs well at Triple-A Norfolk.

Rogers (forearm) hasn't resumed throwing and remains several weeks away from making a return to full health, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. "We won't see him in the month of August. September at the earliest," manager A.J. Hinch said. " \We just hope there are no setbacks at this point. If we do anything that causes a setback between now and September, then we're talking about missing the rest of the year."

Sidelined since July 19 with a pronator teres strain in his right forearm, Rogers' promising campaign could be at risk of ending early if hits any snags in what's already been a slow-moving recovery process. Though the Tigers value Rogers mostly for his defensive work at catcher, he hit his stride at the plate in the month before landing on the 10-day injured list, slashing .296/.367/.611 over that stretch. Eric Haase and Grayson Greiner will continue to share the catching duties while Rogers remains on the shelf.

Caratini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Caratini will cede catching duties to Austin Nola in the series finale after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Saturday's 6-2 win. Since Nola was reinstated from the 10-day injured list July 22, Caratini has picked up seven starts at catcher to Nola's eight, so the Padres seem content to deploy a timeshare at the position.

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

Diaz will be getting some routine maintenance as the Rockies wrap up their homestand. Dom Nunez checks in behind the plate for Diaz, who caught four of the Rockies' previous five games.

Jackson will start at catcher and bat seventh Sunday against the Rockies, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins have been exposing Jorge Alfaro to left field more frequently in recent days, which has allowed Jackson to take on increased work behind the dish. He'll be catching for the fifth time in seven games and may have temporarily emerged as the team's new No. 1 backstop, at least until the Marlins get the likes of Jesus Sanchez (COVID-19 injured list) and Jon Berti (concussion) back in action in the outfield.

Wong was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Wong was recalled from Worcester on Saturday and will return to the minors a day later. The 25-year-old has appeared in five games for Boston in 2021 and is 3-for-12 with a double, a walk and two runs.

Vazquez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Vazquez started both games of Saturday's doubleheader -- one at catcher and one at designated hitter -- and he'll receive the day off for the series finale. Kevin Plawecki will work behind the plate Sunday.

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

After catching in both of the past two games, Barnhart will give way to backstop Tyler Stephenson (hamstring) in the series finale. The lefty-hitting Barnhart still appears to be viewed as the Reds' No. 1 catcher, but he'll likely sit regularly in favor of Stephenson when Cincinnati opposes right-handed starting pitchers.

Stephenson (hamstring) will start at catcher and bat fifth Sunday against the Pirates.

Just as manger David Bell said would be the case, the hamstring issue that forced Stephenson out of Thursday's 7-4 win in the series opener won't result in the young backstop landing on the injured list. He'll draw back into the lineup after sitting the past two days, spelling Tucker Barnhart behind the dish.