MLB Player News

Sanchez went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 8-6 loss to the Nationals.

Sanchez didn't start Sunday but was thrust into designated-hitter duties for the Brewers in the bottom of the fifth inning after Christian Yelich (hamstring) was removed from the game. In his second at-bat, the 33-year-old launched his fourth long ball of the season to pull the Brewers back to even after they saw a one-run lead become a three-run deficit just a half-inning prior. Though he's appeared in just nine games and logged 28 plate appearances, Sanchez has been exceptional in the limited sample with a .273/.429/.818 slash line. With the Brewers manager Pat Murphy expressing concern after the game about Yelich's health, Sanchez could be primed to receive more regular playing time if Yelich requires a stint on the injured list.

Sullivan went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI on Sunday against the Padres.

Sullivan has started three straight games with Hunter Goodman (finger) unable to handle defensive work behind the plate. Sullivan managed a double for the second consecutive contest, also knocking in Colorado's only two runs on the day. He has only 135 career plate appearances in the majors, but Sullivan has hit just .216 with two home runs.

Basallo went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and a walk in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Giants.

Basallo opened the scoring with a two-run homer off Adrian Houser. The 21-year-old has gotten off to a slow start but should be in the lineup nearly every day with Adley Rutschman (ankle) and Ryan Mountcastle (foot) both on the shelf. On the season, he's slashing .150/.261/.300 with two home runs, three RBI and five runs scored across 46 plate appearances.

Kelly went 2-for-5 with a double and RBI in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Pirates.

Making his 10th start over the first 15 games of the season, Kelly doubled in the fourth inning before providing the game-winning, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Kelly is now slashing .308/.426/.385 with three doubles, four RBI, four runs scored and an 8:8 BB:K across 47 plate appearances.

Ballesteros went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Pirates.

With the Cubs struggling to score runs, manager Craig Counsell shook up his lineup Sunday and moved Ballesteros up to the second spot after he hit no higher than fifth in the order in any of the previous 14 games. Ballesteros struck out in the first inning but tagged Bubba Chandler for a solo shot in the third before singling in the fifth. Ballesteros was later pinch hit for in the seventh. The 22-year-old is now slashing .294/.342/.471 with two home runs, six RBI, five runs scored and a 3:9 BB:K across 38 plate appearances. If he's able to stick near the top of the lineup, Ballesteros should have more opportunities to make an impact in the box score.

Contreras went 4-for-5 with a two-run home run and three RBI in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Cardinals.

Visiting Busch Stadium for the first time since he was traded by St. Louis to Boston over the winter, Contreras had a big series at the plate for the Red Sox, going 6-for-13 with the homer, a double and six RBI across the three contests. The veteran first baseman is now slashing .302/.448/.509 with three long balls, 11 RBI, eight runs scored and an 11:16 BB:K across 67 plate appearances to begin the 2026 campaign.

Manager Craig Albernaz said after Sunday's win against the Giants that the results of Rutschman's (ankle) MRI were encouraging, and the catcher may not require a lengthy stay on the injured list, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Rutschman landed on the injured list Saturday due to ankle inflammation, and the imaging indicates he's not dealing with a more serious issue. The 28-year-old will be eligible to be reinstated April 21, though it's unclear if he'll be ready to play by then. In the meantime, Samuel Basallo should operate as Baltimore's primary backstop while Maverick Handley handles backup duties.

Sullivan will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Padres.

Though top backstop Hunter Goodman will remain in the lineup at designated hitter Sunday, he has yet to resume catching since suffering a right middle finger laceration in Thursday's 7-3 loss. Sullivan will pick up his third consecutive start as a result, but since the Rockies haven't been compelled to call up another catcher from the minors, Goodman will presumably return to action behind the plate in the near future. Sullivan's playing time will almost certainly tail off considerably at that point.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

After starting behind the plate in each of the past four games, Smith will get a chance to catch his breath while the Dodgers wrap up their series with Texas. Dalton Rushing will get the nod at catcher and will bat eighth.

Amaya is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Amaya had a brief surge in playing time to begin April, but he appears to have slid back into a part-time role behind Carson Kelly at catcher and Moises Ballesteros at designated hitter. The Cubs will keep Amaya on the bench for the third time in four games.