MLB Player News

Serven went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 9-5 loss to Kansas City.

Serven swatted a Michael Wacha changeup over the left-field wall for a two-run homer in the fifth inning. It marked his third homer of the campaign, with the backstop slashing .200/.222/.457 with seven RBI and four runs across 13 contests. With Shea Langeliers (knee) sidelined, Serven has served as the backup to Jonah Heim at catcher.

Navarreto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Phillies on Monday.

Navarreto started behind the plate for the second straight day in the wake of No. 1 option Joe Mack dealing with a shoulder injury. Navarreto took advantage of the opportunity, notching two hits, including an eighth-inning solo homer that brought his team to within a run. It was the first long ball this season for the 31-year-old backstop and the second of his MLB career in his 23rd contest. Navarreto is still slashing a paltry .148/.233/.296 across 32 plate appearances this season and doesn't figure to see many starts when Mack is healthy.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Smith (neck) will begin a rehab assignment next week if the catcher's workouts go well this week, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith has turned a corner in his recovery from a neck injury and is nearly ready to test things out in a game setting. Considering he last played in a game June 5, the catcher will likely need several rehab games before rejoining the Dodgers' active roster. Smith collected a .720 OPS with six home runs in 52 contests before getting hurt.

Teel (ankle) will participate in batting practice Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Teel continues to make progress in his recovery from a left high-ankle sprain that he sustained shortly after the All-Star break. The next step in his program is to embark on a rehab assignment, at which point the White Sox will have a better idea of when Teel could return to the majors, which could be as soon as early September.

Goodman was scratched from Monday's lineup versus the Dodgers due to left shoulder inflammation, Kelsey Wingert-Linch of AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain reports.

Goodman had been slated to return from a three-game absence, but instead the Rockies have decided to hold him out for a fourth consecutive contest. There's no indication that he's suffered a setback, so consider Goodman day-to-day. Brett Sullivan will do the catching for Colorado on Monday.

Stephenson is absent from the lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Stephenson started at catcher in the first game of the twin bill, going 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. The Reds will turn to Jose Trevino behind the dish for the nightcap.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Rodriguez is gathering a second opinion on his left hip injury, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Pittsburgh listed Rodriguez's injury as left hip inflammation when he was placed on the shelf Thursday, but the organization may be concerned that the 26-year-old catcher might be dealing with something more significant. While Tomczyk relayed that the Pirates are expected to have more information on Rodriguez's condition later this week, it's reasonable to expect Rodriguez to spend more than the minimum 10 days on the injured list. Henry Davis and Rafael Flores will continue to share playing time behind the dish while Rodriguez is on the mend.

Davis will start at catcher and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Tigers.

With fellow backstop Endy Rodriguez (hip) recently returning to the injured list, Davis has re-emerged as the Pirates' top option behind the dish. He'll pick up his seventh start in nine games while the Pirates open up a three-game set versus the Tigers. Davis is slashing just .143/.219/.143 with no extra-base hits, two RBI and two runs since the start of August, so he's not doing much to take advantage of his larger share of playing time.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that Mack is out of the lineup Monday against the Phillies due to a right shoulder injury, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

McCullough relayed that he wasn't overly concerned about Mack's shoulder issue, but the 23-year-old catcher will be relegated to the bench for a second straight game and is considered day-to-day. Brian Navarreto will draw the start behind the plate and bat ninth, forming a battery with starting pitcher Janson Junk.

Heim is absent from the lineup for Monday's tilt in Kansas City.

Heim has essentially been an everyday player for the Athletics over the past two months, but he will begin Monday's contest on the bench. Brian Serven will handle catching duties for the Athletics in the series opener.