MLB Player News

Kelly went 1-for-3 with two walks, a solo home run and an additional run scored Thursday against the Guardians.

Kelly, starting for just the second time in five days as he continues to work in a timeshare with Jake Rogers, extended his modest hitting streak to six games while reaching base three times and homering for the third time during that stretch. It was the seventh home run of the season for Kelly, who has also added 28 RBI while producing a useful slash line of .247/.326/.418 through 178 plate appearances.

Stephenson went 2-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in Thursday's 8-1 win over the Rockies.

Stephenson's three-run shot in the third inning was all the Reds needed, but he added another homer -- a two-run blast -- in the seventh. It was quite a series for the catcher, who mashed four home runs and drove in eight over the three-game set. The 27-year-old backstop is up to 10 home runs in 76 games, putting him on pace to wipe out the career-high 13 he swatted in 2023.

Moreno is starting behind the plate and batting second Thursday versus Atlanta after being scratched with lower-back tightness Wednesday.

Moreno is set to make his eighth start of the season as the second batter in the order. The catcher was said to be available off the bench Wednesday despite the back issue, but he did not end up seeing any action.

Grandal went 1-for-4 with an RBI double during Thursday's 1-0 win over the Brewers.

Grandal broke the stalemate in the seventh inning, tagging Aaron Civale for a one-out double to score Jack Suwinski from first base. Grandal started Thursday's contest behind the dish after yielding to Joey Bart in each of the Pirates' previous three games. In 132 plate appearances, Grandal is slashing .184/.214/.304 with 22 strikeouts and only five walks.

Rortvedt isn't in the Rays' lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Left-hander Nestor Cortes will toe the slab Thursday for the Yankees, meaning the left-handed bat of Rortvedt will stay put in the Rays' dugout. Alex Jackson will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Bart isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Thursday's game against Milwaukee.

After launching a grand slam Tuesday, Bart was held hitless in three at-bats during Wednesday's contest, and he'll now receive a breather during Thursday's rubber match. Yasmani Grandal will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Riley Adams will draw the start at catcher while Ruiz rests for the day game after a night game. Ruiz had started in each of the Nationals' last three contests, going 4-for-12 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez will receive a breather for Thursday's matinee contest after he had started each of the previous four days, with three coming at catcher and one at designated hitter. Luis Torrens will fill in behind the dish Thursday in place of Alvarez, who is slashing .300/.382/.433 thus far in July.

Bailey went 2-for-2 with a home run, three walks and three runs scored in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Bailey reached five times on the night, scoring a run in two of his first three trips to the plate before smacking a solo homer in the ninth to give him seven long balls on the season. The catcher has now hit safely in three straight games and has recorded multiple hits in each of his last two. Wednesday also marked only the fourth time on the campaign that Bailey's drawn multiple walks.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

Diaz will receive a breather for Thursday's day game after he went 2-for-4 with an RBI while catching all nine innings of the Rockies' 6-5 win Wednesday night. Hunter Goodman will handle the catching duties for Colorado.