MLB Player News

Ruiz stated Saturday that he's willing to play outfield if needed, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Ruiz played outfield in high school but has not logged time at the position as a professional. He is currently on the active roster but is solidly behind both Will Smith and Austin Barnes on the catching depth chart. Despite Ruiz's openness to adding a position to his resume, manager Dave Roberts clarified that the team isn't currently considering such a move, per Matthew Moreno of Dodger Blue. If Ruiz were to get reps at another position, it would likely be first base, Roberts added.

Thaiss started at catcher for Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Per Ardaya, the last time Thaiss served as backstop in a game was during his final collegiate season at Virginia in 2016. It's not clear whether Saturday's appearance behind the dish was simply an experiment or part of a broader effort to expand the organization's catching depth. For what it's worth, the Angels recently traded for journeyman backstop Drew Butera after temporarily losing the services of Max Stassi (concussion) and Anthony Bemboom (back).

Nola is out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants.

Nola suffered a hand injury Friday but returned to the lineup Saturday and went 0-for-4 with an RBI. Victor Caratini receives another start behind the plate for San Diego.

Knizner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

After Yadier Molina (foot) returned from the injured list Saturday, Knizner's time as the Cardinals' No. 1 catcher came to an end. While Molina was sidelined, Knizner went 6-for-34 (.176 average) over a 10-game stretch.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Jansen will get a routine breather in favor of Reese McGuire after starting at catcher in the past three games -- and slugging a home run in each of them. The 26-year-old has still been one of the majors' worst everyday players this season with a .104/.178/.254 slash line, but Jansen's recent power surge should at least give him a short-term boost in job security.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

After wresting the No. 1 catching job away from Gary Sanchez in late April, Higashioka appears to have fallen back into a timeshare at the position upon falling into a 2-for-20 slump at the plate over his last six games. Higashioka and Sanchez have now alternated starts over the past five contests.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Vazquez is presumably getting a routine breather for the day game after he caught four of Boston's past five games. Kevin Plawecki checks in behind the dish for Vazquez, who should be back in the lineup for Monday's series finale in Baltimore.

Garver (shoulder) will start at catcher and bat cleanup Sunday against the Tigers.

Garver is back in action after the right shoulder injury he sustained Friday only kept him out of the lineup for one game. Before sustaining the injury, Garver had been dialed in at the plate after an ice-cold start to the season. Over his last eight games, Garver has gone 7-for-22 with four home runs, four walks and seven RBI.

Smith went 2-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored Saturday in the Dodgers' 14-11 win over the Angels.

Smith was one of five Dodgers to provide multiple hits on the night to help his side snap a four-game losing streak. The 26-year-old backstop has recorded at least one hit in all but one of his last nine games, slashing .324/.351/.529 over that span.

Jansen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the Blue Jays' 8-4 win over the Astros on Saturday.

Jansen has homered in each of his last three games after not having a single long ball in his first 62 plate appearances. The catcher is a double-digit home run threat, but it took him a while to get going this year. He has a rough .104/.178/.254 slash line through 73 plate appearances and had just one RBI in his first 21 games.