MLB Player News

Stephenson went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 9-8 win over the White Sox.

Stephenson broke open a tie with a three-run homer in the fourth inning. It was his 11th home run of the season. He continued a strong second half and is now slashing .302/.397/.635 with five home runs, 10 doubles, 14 RBI and 12 runs scored over 19 games since the All-Star break.

Diaz is not in the starting lineup Thursday night against the Angels, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Diaz will head to the bench after going 1-for-4 in the team's 5-2 loss Wednesday. The 35-year-old continues to rotate behind the plate with Austin Wynns while Kyle Higashioka (forearm) is on the injured list. Wynns will start at catcher and bat eighth in the series finale.

Flores went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs and six total RBI in Thursday's 13-1 win over Miami.

Flores, making his second start in Pittsburgh's last five games, extended the Pirates' lead to 8-0 in the eighth inning with a three-run blast off John King before capping the scoring in the ninth with another three-run blast after Marlins third baseman Javier Sanoja took over on the mound. Coming into the day, Flores had just one homer through his first 12 games this season while going 1-for-15 in his last eight contests. He'll primarily serve as Henry Davis' backup behind the plate while Endy Rodriguez (hip) is sidelined.

The Dodgers signed Tromp to a minor-league deal Thursday, and he's been sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Alex Freedman of the Oklahoma City Comets reports.

Tromp elected free agency Aug. 4 after getting booted off Baltimore's 40-man roster July 31. The Dodgers have dealt with depth issues at catcher, as Will Smith (neck) and Dalton Rushing (elbow) have missed extended time. In a corresponding move Thursday, the Dodgers released Chuckie Robinson.

The Dodgers released Robinson on Thursday.

Robinson went through waivers unclaimed after getting designated for assignment Aug. 4. He was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 7, but the team has decided to split with the catcher. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers signed Chadwick Tromp to a minor-league deal Thursday. Robinson was up with the Dodgers prior to the trade deadline before they acquired Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt.

Kelly is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Kelly will get a routine day of rest after starting at catcher in the first two games of the series. Miguel Amaya will don the catching gear for Thursday's finale.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Thursday that Teel's (ankle) current progress should have him ready to begin a rehab assignment before the end of August, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Teel is a little more than three weeks into a projected 6-to-12 week timetable as he works his way back from a left high-ankle sprain. He's currently running at about 80 percent and is expected to be cleared to hit off the Trejekt machine soon. The six-week mark in Teel's recovery would be Sept. 1, and it seems he has a good shot to be back around that time. However, the young catcher still has several boxes to check before a possible return date comes into focus.

Rutschman is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Rutschman started the previous two days upon being added to Boston's active roster, but he will get a break during Thursday's matinee. Connor Wong will do the catching and bat ninth as the Red Sox try to avoid being swept.

Marchan (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Marchan has been out for the past three weeks with left knee patellar tendinitis. He shouldn't require more than a game or two on his rehab assignment before returning to the Phillies' active roster.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Red Sox.

Kirk started at catcher each of the last two days, so he'll get a breather during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Brandon Valenzuela is behind the dish and batting seventh for the Blue Jays.