MLB Player News
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Adley Rutschman C | BAL
Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Out through All-Star break
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Sunday that Rutschman's left oblique strain is considered mild, but the catcher is still expected to remain on the 10-day injured list through the All-Star break, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Rutschman was held out of the lineup for the first two games of this weekend's series versus the Yankees due to what was initially described as abdominal tightness, but he was placed on the IL on Saturday when an MRI confirmed an oblique strain. Even though the backstop's injury is seemingly a Grade 1 strain, the Orioles won't rush him back early and will give him at least four weeks to recover. Gary Sanchez is expected to serve as Baltimore's primary backstop while Rutschman is on the shelf.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Continues power surge Saturday
Smith went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Saturday's loss to the Nationals.
Smith had two of the Dodgers' four extra-base hits, stroking a double in the second inning and going yard in the sixth. The backstop has gone deep three times in his past five games after knocking just six homers over his first 57 contests. Smith began June with no hits in his first three games, but since then he's posted a 1.135 OPS with four home runs, 11 RBI and 13 runs across 13 matchups.
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Cal Raleigh C | SEA
Mariners' Cal Raleigh: Slugs 30th homer
Raleigh went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 10-7 loss to the Cubs.
Raleigh's impressive power surge continued Saturday with a ninth-inning blast, his 30th home run of the season. The catcher has been outstanding, slashing .272/.377/.649 with 44 extra-base hits and 64 RBI through just 74 games, and Raleigh became the first switch hitter in major-league history with 30 long balls before the All-Star break. While Aaron Judge remains the clear favorite for American League MVP, Raleigh has emerged as a strong contender thanks to his elite offensive production and standout defense.
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Yohel Pozo C | STL
Cardinals' Yohel Pozo: Provides walk-off hit
Pozo went 1-for-1 with with a walk-off single in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Reds in 11 innings.
Pozo entered as a defensive replacement in the top of the 11th and came through with a walk-off bloop single to right field in the bottom half of the frame. The catcher, who is back in the majors for the first time since 2021, has served primarily in a backup role for the Cardinals but has made the most of his opportunities, slashing .308/.313/.446 with five extra-base hits and eight RBI over 25 games.
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Logan O'Hoppe C | LAA
Angels' Logan O'Hoppe: Ends power drought
O'Hoppe went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Astros.
O'Hoppe sat both Thursday and Friday, and it appears that two-game stint on the bench helped him reset. The catcher hadn't posted a multi-hit effort in June prior to Saturday, and he hadn't hit a homer since May 22 versus the Athletics. He's now at a .233/.268/.462 slash line with 16 homers, 35 RBI, 24 runs scored, three doubles and no stolen bases over 63 contests. O'Hoppe is likely to maintain at least half of the playing time behind the dish, though his recent slump has allowed more opportunities for Travis d'Arnaud to check in.
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Drake Baldwin C | ATL
Braves' Drake Baldwin: Hits three-run homer in win
Baldwin went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Saturday's 7-0 win over the Marlins.
Baldwin reached base three times, highlighted by a three-run homer in the ninth inning to help put the game out of reach. The rookie has cooled off a bit in June, going just 9-for-41 over 14 games, though he's still managed three home runs and nine RBI during that span. On the season, he's slashing an impressive .293/.350/.483 with eight homers, 24 RBI and 16 runs scored across 160 plate appearances.
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Shea Langeliers C | ATH
Athletics' Shea Langeliers: Progressing in recovery
Langeliers (oblique) participated in batting practice Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Langeliers landed on the 10-day injured list in early June due to a left oblique strain, but he has progressed enough in his recovery to resume swinging a bat. Whether Langeliers will need to embark on a rehab assignment will largely depend on how his oblique reacts to increased work. He was slashing .237/.300/.430 with four steals, 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 27 RBI in 230 plate appearances prior to his injury.
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J.C. Escarra C | NYY
Yankees' J.C. Escarra: Big day against O's
Escarra went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Saturday's 9-0 win over the Orioles.
The 30-year-old rookie popped his second career homer in the second inning, hooking a Zach Eflin sweeper down the right-field line into the short porch at Yankee Stadium. Escarra continues to be used sparingly behind starter Austin Wells, and Saturday's RBI were his first since May 25, while the runs were his first since May 9.
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Jonah Heim C | ATL
Rangers' Jonah Heim: Taking seat Saturday
Heim is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.
Heim made back-to-back starts behind the dish and will get a breather Saturday. In his place, Kyle Higashioka will catch and bat ninth.
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Patrick Bailey C | SF
Giants' Patrick Bailey: Getting breather Saturday
Bailey isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Bailey will grab a seat on the bench Saturday after going 2-for-7 with three walks following his return from the injured list. Andrew Knizner will fill in at catcher and bat ninth.