MLB Player News

Diaz went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 9-6 win over the Dodgers.

Diaz got the scoring kicked off for the Rockies with a solo homer to left off David Price in the third. The 30-year-old sent one out for the first time since July 7 after he homered five times in a span of eight games a few weeks back. He hasn't swung a healthy bat overall; Diaz is slashing .210/.278/.381 with eight homers, 19 RBI, 20 runs scored and 17:33 BB:K over 194 plate appearances. His lack of production has landed him in a timeshare behind the plate with Dom Nunez.

Realmuto went 1-for-3 with a home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Friday's win over Atlanta.

Realmuto made his presence felt in the first inning when he socked his 10th long ball of the season, and he also crossed home plate following an RBI double from Rhys Hoskins in the bottom of the seventh. The star backstop is hitting .269 with a .816 OPS, 10 homers and 39 RBI on the season. Realmuto is also 17-for -59 in July with three homers and a steal for the month.

Jeffers went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI in Friday's 5-4 win over the Angels.

The catcher displayed some power with his pair of doubles, but it was his RBI single in the eighth inning that tied the game at 4-4. An error on the play allowed the go-ahead run to score as well. Jeffers has posted seven multi-hit efforts in 42 games, but he's slashing only .203/.286/.384 with six home runs, 17 RBI and 12 runs scored. The 24-year-old will likely return to a backup role when Mitch Garver returns from the paternity list.

Sanchez was removed from Friday's game against the Red Sox due to a mid-back spasm.

Sanchez was replaced by a pinch hitter in the top of the sixth inning after he went 0-for-1 with a run, a walk and a strikeout to begin Friday's contest. It's not yet clear whether the issue will force the 28-year-old to miss additional time.

Gomes (oblique) took swings in the batting cage Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Gomes took about 40 swings during his hitting session Friday, and he felt good afterward. He should continue to get work in the cage for a few more days, and the Nationals hope to get the 34-year-old back on the field shortly after. It's not yet clear when Gomes will be able to return to game action, but he's expected to require a rehab assignment before he's cleared to rejoin the big-league roster.

Wallach was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Wallach appeared in 22 games with the major-league club earlier in the year then spent nearly two months at Jacksonville prior to Friday's call-up. He hit .204 with seven home runs, 17 RBI and 11 runs across 31 minor-league contests, and he'll serve as catching depth.

Maldonado is out of the lineup Friday against the Rangers, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado started the past four games and will receive a day to rest Friday. Jason Castro will catch for Jake Odorizzi and bat eighth.

Sanchez (general soreness) is starting behind the plate and batting cleanup Friday at Boston.

Sanchez sat out Thursday's contest after getting "dinged up" Wednesday, but he's good to go for Friday's series opener. The 28-year-old is 4-for-16 with two solo homers, a walk and an additional run scored in five games since the All-Star break.

Perez is out of the lineup Friday against Tampa Bay.

Perez is 2-for-15 since the All-Star break and finds himself on the bench for the second straight contest. Austin Hedges will work behind the plate again Friday for Cleveland.

Barnhart is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Barnhart and Tyler Stephenson had alternated starts behind the plate for the last eight games, but it's now Stephenson who will get the nod for the second game in a row. Stephenson's .774 OPS makes a great case for more playing time, though Barnhart's .754 mark isn't far behind, so a fairly even split should be expected down the stretch unless something changes.