MLB Player News

Rushing went 4-for-4 with a two solo home runs and an additional run scored in Monday's win over the Blue Jays.

It was the first career multi-homer game out of Rushing, who also racked up a career-high four knocks Monday. The backstop is off to a ridiculous start in limited action, having gone 6-for-9 with three long balls in his first three appearances, but his pathway to steady reps is blocked by Will Smith at catcher. Rushing remains likely to mostly fill in behind the dish on occasions when Smith needs a breather.

Dingler is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

Dingler will receive a routine day off Monday after starting behind the dish in each of the Tigers' last four games. Jake Rogers will handle catching duties in the series opener in Minnesota.

Basallo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

After an 0-for-4, four-strikeout performance in Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Pirates dropped his season average to .148, Basallo will get Monday off to clear his head. Adley Rutschman will draw the start at catcher and Ryan Mountcastle will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter in the series opener in Chicago.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Ruiz and Drew Millas have split time behind the dish evenly through the Nationals' first five games, with both catchers drawing five starts apiece. Though Ruiz has been the better producer thus far, he's still holding down a modest .222/.211/.444 slash line through his first 19 plate appearances. He may need to raise his performance before taking on a larger share of the catching duties.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Smith will hit the bench for a second straight game, with Dalton Rushing working behind home plate and batting eighth. The decision to hold Smith out is a deliberate one, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noting Monday that he wants Smith to be the catcher for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani for Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Smith has gone 8-for-29 (.276 average) with two home runs and five RBI to open the season.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Kirk will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair his fractured left thumb, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kirk landed on the 10-day injured list this past weekend after being diagnosed with a fracture, and a visit with Dr. Thomas Graham on Monday led to a recommendation of surgery. The fact that Kirk needed an operation to fix the fracture could lead to a longer absence, but a formal timetable for the catcher's return won't be known until after surgery is completed. According to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, the typical timeline for players to return from thumb surgery ranges from 3-to-6 weeks.

Jeffers is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Tigers.

Victor Caratini will be behind the dish in Monday's series opener. Jeffers is off to a slow start offensively this season, going 4-for-24 without an RBI across his first seven contests. He'll get a day to regroup and should be back in the lineup Tuesday.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Hicks has gotten off to a sizzling start to the season with a 1.164 OPS over 29 plate appearances, but the Marlins will shield the left-handed batter from southpaw Brandon Williamson in Monday's series opener. At least until the Marlins return the likes of Christopher Morel (oblique) and Kyle Stowers (hamstring) from the injured list, Hicks should have a clear path to regular at-bats versus right-handed pitching while making starts at catcher, first base or designated hitter.

Pages is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Nationals.

Pages will begin the contest on the bench as Ivan Herrera gets a start at catcher. The 27-year-old Pages has drawn starts in six of 10 games thus far and appeared off the bench in one additional contest.

Amaya will start at designated hitter and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Rays.

Amaya will remain in the lineup for the fifth time in six games, with three of his starts coming versus lefties and two coming against righties during that stretch. The 27-year-old has gone 5-for-12 with a pair of extra-base hits to begin the season, and his hot start appears to have helped him at least temporarily supplant Moises Ballesteros as the Cubs' preferred option at DH.