MLB Player News

Heineman is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Heineman will get a breather after going 2-for-6 with a double and two runs scored over the first two games of the series. Travis d'Arnaud will start behind home plate and bat ninth while forming a battery with southpaw Reid Detmers.

Ruiz passed concussion protocol following his removal from Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz was pulled from the game after taking a foul tip off his mask in the fourth inning. Although he managed to avoid suffering a concussion this time around, the 28-year-old backstop's history of concussions/head injuries could cause the Nationals to err on the side of caution and sit him down for another game or two. Harry Ford would benefit from extra playing time during any games Ruiz may have to miss.

Diaz is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Diaz will be on the bench for the second time in three days while Christian Vazquez starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Diaz has gone 11-for-37 (.297) with two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored over his last 12 appearances.

Dingler is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Eduardo Valencia is making the start behind the plate and batting fifth for Detroit. Over his last 22 games dating back to Aug. 7, Dingler is hitting .107 with a .307 OPS across 91 plate appearances. He has just two extra-base hits and no home runs during that span.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Brewers.

Kelly started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he will get a break during Wednesday's tilt. Miguel Amaya will be behind the dish and will bat ninth for the Cubs.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Tampa Bay.

Alvarez was behind the dish for the first two games of the series, but he'll take a seat in the finale. Luis Torrens is doing the catching and batting ninth in the rubber match.

Ruiz was lifted from Wednesday's game against Atlanta in the fourth inning after taking a foul tip to the mask, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Ruiz has a history of concussions, so this is a worrisome development. The Nationals should have more on his status after the game. Ruiz flew out in his lone plate appearance Wednesday before exiting. He was replaced by Harry Ford, who would stand to benefit if Ruiz needs to miss additional time.

Smith went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's loss to St. Louis.

Smith returned Tuesday from a nearly three-month stay on the injured due to a neck injury. The All-Star catcher started behind the plate and batted fifth in the Dodgers' order. Smith flied out in each of his first three plate appearances before roping a two-run double to left field in the seventh inning. He'll have about four weeks to shake any rust ahead of the postseason and should return to a regular role as Los Angeles' top backstop, with Hunter Feduccia serving as his primary backup.

Raleigh is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Boston.

Raleigh had started the last 11 contests for the Mariners and went deep seven times during that span, but he'll receive a breather during Wednesday's matinee. Jhonny Pereda will be behind the dish for the Mariners in the rubber match.

Rutschman (elbow) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Mariners.

Rutschman has missed three straight starts and has been in the lineup just three times over Boston's last nine contests as he battles a hyperextended right elbow. It's an injury he might have to deal with for the remainder of the season, though there's been no indication to this point that the Red Sox are mulling a stint on the injured list. Connor Wong will get the nod behind the plate again Wednesday.