MLB Player News

Milias went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's rout of the Twins.

The switch-hitting backstop took Bailey Ober deep in the fifth inning for his first long ball of the season, a blast that put the Nationals in the lead for good in an eventual 15-2 win. Milias hasn't offered much offense so far while backing up Keibert Ruiz, slashing .172/.238/.276 through 64 plate appearances with five RBI and seven runs.

Wells is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Rangers.

Wells started at catcher in each of the last four games, so he's earned a breather for Thursday's matinee. J.C. Escarra will be behind the dish and bat ninth for the Yankees.

Kirk (thumb) is expected to begin hitting this weekend, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.

The backstop has been sidelined since April 3 due to a fractured thumb that required surgery, but Kirk's recovery is proceeding without setbacks and the Blue Jays remain optimistic he'll be back before the end of May. In his absence, Brandon Valenzuela and Tyler Heineman will continue to split catching duties.

Hedges went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Royals. He was also caught stealing.

Hedges, a backup catcher, was an unlikely spark in the Guardians' win that snapped a three-game skid. At second base and down 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Hedges took off for third base and narrowly beat the throw for his first successful swipe of the season and 17th of his 12-year MLB career. On the play, Petey Halpin moved from first to second base, setting up a situation where Chase DeLauter's single delivered both runners. Hedges was later cut down trying to steal in the ninth. It was the second time in three starts that Hedges made an impact in a Cleveland win. There are no immediate plans to change the catching depth chart, but Hedges has .311/.360/.467 slash line over 16 games, which compares very favorably to starter Bo Naylor's .127/.188/.190 line through 27 contests.

Manager Kurt Suzuki said Wednesday that d'Arnaud is dealing with pain in his foot, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

D'Arnaud came out of Wednesday's game against the White Sox in the fifth inning after attempting to leg out an infield single. He reportedly had trouble putting weight on his foot after exiting, so the Angels will send him in for further testing. More will be known about the severity of his injury once the results come back, but Sebastian Rivero could be in line to make a start or two behind home plate once the Angels begin their weekend series in Toronto.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Stephenson appears to be receiving a routine breather after he started behind the plate in five of the Reds' previous six games. Jose Trevino will get the nod at catcher Wednesday.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

With a lefty (Cole Ragans) on the bump, the left-handed-hitting Naylor will take a seat Wednesday. Austin Hedges will handle catching duties for the Guardians.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Jansen will be given the night off after he had started behind the plate in three of the Rangers' previous four contests. Kyle Higashioka will handle catching duties Wednesday.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

After starting each of the last three games and going 2-for-10 with a double over that stretch, Ruiz will be rested Wednesday. The Nationals will go with Drew Millas behind the dish.

Jensen is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Guardians.

It's a routine day off after Jensen had started each of the last seven games. The Royals will go with Elias Diaz at catcher and Salvador Perez at designated hitter Wednesday.