MLB Player News

Rupp went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in a 5-4 loss to the Nationals on Friday.

The homer was Rupp's 15th of the season. He has been slumping a bit since the beginning of August with a .229 batting average, but he does have five home runs in those 22 games.

Realmuto went 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk and two runs scored in a win over the Dodgers Friday.

Realmuto welcomed Clayton Kershaw back to the mound with a solo home run in the first inning, and he walked and scored in the fifth to provide an insurance run. He has emerged as one of the better fantasy catcher options, slashing .313/.353/.441 on the season with 56 runs, 41 RBI and 11 steals.

Perez (wrist) remains out of the lineup Friday against the White Sox, the Kansas City Star's Rustin Dodd reports.

Manager Ned Yost had Perez in the initial lineup but then changed his mind and decided to give the star catcher one more day off. Perez took practice swings Friday and it sounds like he is on track to return to the lineup Saturday. Drew Butera will start at catcher and hit eighth Friday.

Maldonado is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Despite the big night Thursday, Maldonado will get another night off. Manny Pina will assume catching duties in his place.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Friday's matchup with the Astros.

Contreras will head to the bench in favor of David Ross, Jon Lester's personal catcher. Manager Joe Maddon seems to be content rotating time between Contreras, Ross, and Miguel Montego, so it's unclear how soon Contreras will slot back into the lineup during their current interleague series.

Barnhart is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

Barnhart caught the past four games, so he'll head to the bench to rest for a day. Ramon Cabrera will fill in behind the dish in his stead.

Murphy went 2-for-4 with his second home run Wednesday in a win against the Giants.

Through his first 11 at-bats in the majors this year, Murphy's racked up six hits. He made a strong debut last season, and any Rockies hitter is worth owning when he's in the lineup consistently. Unfortunately, Murphy's just one man in a three-catcher rotation right now, so he'll need to win more regular starts before meriting a pickup for the stretch run.

A more extensive X-ray on Perez's right wrist Wednesday confirmed that he did not suffer a fracture, and he hopes to return to the lineup Friday in Chicago, the Kansas City Star's Rustin Dodd reports.

Perez said he feared that he suffered a broken wrist when he was hit by a pitch and forced to exit Tuesday's game, but fortunately tests confirmed that he simply suffered a bruise. The Royals have an off day Thursday, so the soonest Perez could return would be Friday, but it would not be surprising if he needed another day or two. Drew Butera is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth Wednesday.

Grandal is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers are clearly loading Wednesday's lineup with righties against southpaw Robbie Ray, as lefties have give them trouble all season long. To that end, Carlos Ruiz will start behind the dish and hit sixth Wednesday.

Maldonado is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Maldonado is just 1-for-13 (.077) at the plate this month, so manager Craig Counsell decided to give him a day off Wednesday. Manny Pina will serve as the Brewers' catcher in Maldonado's place.