MLB Player News

Stephenson is not in the Reds' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Stephenson will get a breather after going 1-for-6 with two walks over the first two games of the series. With Stephenson on the bench, Will Banfield will start behind home plate and bat seventh while forming a battery with Rhett Lowder.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Wednesday that Rutschman was given a cortisone injection in his right elbow following Monday's game versus the Angels, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

It explains why Rutschman is missing a second straight start Wednesday. The catcher suffered a hyperextended elbow in late August and has been dealing with nagging soreness off-and-on since. Tracy said that Rutschman is expected back in the lineup Friday against the Royals following the team's day off Thursday.

Rutschman is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Angels.

It's the second straight day that Rutschman's name has not appeared in Boston's starting lineup. He's dealt with a hyperextended right elbow recently and that issue could be flaring up again, though the Red Sox have yet to reveal whether Rutschman is hurt or is simply resting. Mickey Gasper is doing the catching for the Red Sox in Wednesday's series finale.

Salas is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Salas is absent from the lineup for the second day in a row and has started only three of eight contests since being called up. The Padres are facing a fifth lefty (Jackson Kent) during that stretch Wednesday, which has contributed to Salas' lack of playing time. He's been in the batting order twice in three tilts versus righties. Luis Campusano will be behind the plate for the Padres on Wednesday.

Heim is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Blue Jays.

After starting at catcher in the first two games of the series, Heim will get a breather during Wednesday's finale. It will be Brian Serven behind the dish and batting eighth for the Athletics.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Detroit.

Jeffers had started nine consecutive contests at catcher, so he's earned a day to rest during Wednesday's matinee. Victor Caratini will be behind the plate and will bat eighth in the rubber match.

Jansen went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Tuesday's 10-5 win over the Mariners.

Jansen helped put the game out of reach with a three-run homer in the fifth inning to extend Texas' lead to 9-3. Since returning from the injured list Aug. 18, the catcher is batting .206 with three home runs, one double and eight RBI over 12 games.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a hit-by-pitch in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Reds.

Smith has struggled at the plate since returning from a nearly three-month-long absence due to a neck injury. He's gone 3-for-20 (.150) with two extra-base hits and five RBI over eight contests since he was activated. Smith has been eased back into action, and the homer could spark his offense. On the year, he's batting .238 with a .710 OPS, seven homers, 28 RBI, 27 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases over 60 contests.

Goodman went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

The Rockies' bats were held in check by Yankees ace Cam Schlittler, but Goodman reduced the deficit to two runs by taking Tim Hill deep for a two-run homer in the ninth inning. It was Goodman's first home run since Aug. 26 and 37th of the season, tied with Matt Olson for fifth in the majors. Goodman has an .848 OPS with five steals, 78 RBI and 56 extra-base hits over 513 plate appearances this season.

Langeliers (knee) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Langeliers has missed most of the second half after undergoing a meniscectomy on his right knee July 28, but after a speedy recovery, the 28-year-old backstop could be ready to return to the Athletics' lineup by the time the team begins its next road trip next Tuesday. He is expected to work exclusively as a designated hitter for the rest of the season, which means Jonah Heim and Brian Serven will continue to split starts behind the plate after Langeliers is activated.