MLB Player News

Fermin went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in a 3-2 win over Oakland on Thursday.

Fermin accounted for both Royals runs against Oakland starter Mitch Spence, belting a solo shot in each of the second and fourth frames. The backstop had just two homers across 138 plate appearances coming into the contest, though he flashed some power by going deep nine times over 235 plate appearances last year. Fermin has swung a solid stick with a .303/.352/.447 slash line this season, and he's being rewarded with increased opportunities. Over Kansas City's past five games, Fermin has started four times (three times at catcher and once at DH).

Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo home run against Colorado in Thursday's 5-3 victory.

Smith hit one of three Los Angeles long balls Thursday, bashing a 451-foot solo shot to center field in the fourth inning. It was the catcher's 11th home run of the campaign, which leads NL backstops. Across the majors, only three catchers have more homers than Smith this season, and only two (Adley Rutschman and William Contreras) have topped Smith's 45 RBI.

Rutschman went 3-for-5 with a double, two walks and three runs scored in Thursday's 17-5 win over the Yankees.

This was the catcher's second multi-hit effort over his last nine games, a span in which he's gone a meager 7-for-35 (.200). Rutschman started the year hot at the plate, but his struggles haven't cost him much playing time and he remains productive. He's hitting .293 with an .814 OPS, 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 39 runs scored and one stolen base over 70 contests this season.

Bethancourt was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bethancourt has served as Miami's backup catcher this season, but he has struggled to a .466 OPS across 88 plate appearances. Ali Sanchez is expected to take over as the new second catcher on the depth chart behind Nick Fortes.

The Rockies cleared Diaz (calf) to resume jogging Monday, MLB.com reports.

While Diaz looks to be making some progress in his recovery from the left calf strain that forced him to the injured list last Friday, he's still on track to spend more than the minimum 10 days on the shelf. The Rockies haven't yet provided a target date for Diaz's return from the IL, and Jacob Stallings should serve as Colorado's top backstop until Diaz is back in action.

Herrera is unavailable to play Thursday against the Giants due to a back issue, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Herrera's back evidently locked up on him sometime around his arrival at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala. It partly explains why he's not in the lineup, although Pedro Pages has been the Cardinals' preferred option at catcher lately, anyway. At this point, Herrera should be considered day-to-day. St. Louis has a team day off Friday, so he'll have an extra day of rest before the series versus the Giants picks back up Saturday.

The Mets will recall Hudson from Triple-A Syracuse before Friday's game versus the Cubs, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

He's take the roster spot vacated by Luis Torrens, who is going on paternity leave. Hudson will back up Francisco Alvarez for the weekend before returning to Syracuse next week.

The Mets will place Torrens on the paternity list prior to Friday's game against the Cubs, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Torrens should miss the full three-game set in Chicago before rejoining the roster next Tuesday for the beginning of a homestand. Joe Hudson will take Torrens' roster spot.

Herrera isn't in the Cardinals' lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Herrera will sit for the second game in a row Thursday despite going 8-for-18 with three RBI across his last five contests. Pedro Pages will instead start behind the plate and bat eighth.

Higashioka went 1-for-4 with a triple and three RBI in a 5-2 win against Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Higashioka's bases-loaded triple in the eighth inning provided the winning margin for San Diego in the road victory. It was the first three-bagger of the catcher's career. Higashioka has just one hit over his past 12 at-bats, but prior to that he homered in three straight games, and he has racked up seven RBI through 10 games in June.