MLB Player News

Murphy went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in a win over the Giants on Saturday.

Murphy did not start the contest, coming on as a pinch hitter for fellow catcher Austin Allen in the sixth inning. Murphy grounded out in his first at-bat, but he led off the ninth inning with a home run to center field to kick off Oakland's comeback from a three-run deficit. The long ball was the first for Murphy since he went deep against the Angels on July 26.

Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in a win over the Red Sox on Saturday.

Sanchez has collected exactly one hit in each of his last three games, but each hit has left the yard to push his season home-run total to four. Saturday's two-run blast came at a particularly opportune time, flipping a one-run deficit to a one-run lead in the fourth inning. Sanchez continues to strike out at a prolific rate -- with Saturday's whiff, he has now struck out at least once in all but one game this season -- but most fantasy managers will accept the lack of contact as long as the backstop continues to hit home runs when he does hit the ball.

Bemboom was recalled by the Angels on Saturday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Bemboom will give the Angels added depth behind the plate, with Jason Castro dealing with a stiff neck. Castro remains day-to-day and was not placed on the injured list to create a spot for Bemboom, so it's possible Bemboom's stay on the active roster will be a short one. The 30-year-old hit just .130/.145/.204 in his 25-game debut last season.

Ruiz was called up for the first time by the Dodgers on Saturday.

Ruiz would be the catcher of the future in many organizations, though the presence of Will Smith, who landed on the injured list with neck inflammation in a corresponding move, prevents him from holding that title for the Dodgers. Still, he's a talented prospect, with strong contact ability offsetting a lack of power and a future as a roughly average defender. Just 22 years old, Ruiz is quite young for a catcher, and he didn't dominate the upper minors last season, hitting just .261/.331/.347 in 85 games in Double-A and Triple-A, so expectations should probably be muted for him this year.

Smith was placed on the injured list with neck inflammation Saturday.

The move was made retroactive to Thursday, so Smith could return as soon as Aug. 23, though it's unclear whether or not he's expected to do so. Keibert Ruiz was called up in a corresponding move and will split time with Austin Barnes until Smith returns.

Smith (neck) isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Angels.

Smith currently remains day-to-day, but a trip to the injured list hasn't been ruled out yet. As he sits for his third consecutive game, Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate.

Manager Terry Francona confirmed that Perez (shoulder) should be able to return to the Indians on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Perez was put on the 10-day injured list in late July and is set to return Tuesday after missing almost three weeks with a strained right shoulder. He is widely considered as one of the best defensive backstops in the MLB and should immediately be reinserted into the starting lineup when he is activated.

Murphy isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Giants.

After catching in the Athletics' 10-inning win Friday, he'll get a breather for the second game of the series. Austin Allen will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Alvarez was added Saturday to the team's player pool and assigned to the Mets' alternate training site, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Although listed as a catcher, Alvarez has the potential to line up at any position on the field for the Mets. He has good pop in his bat but needs to work on his defense. He joins fellow top prospects Andres Gimenez and Matthew Allan at the team's training site, although a callup to the big-league roster is not imminent.

Jansen isn't in the lineup against the Rays on Saturday.

Jansen went hitless with one run and one walk in Friday's series opener against Tampa Bay, and he'll take a seat Saturday. Reese McGuire will take over behind the plate, batting eighth.