MLB Player News

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks in Friday's 11-1 win over the Cubs.

Alvarez opened the second inning with a 420-foot home run off Shota Imanaga then walked in the fourth and ninth frames. The homer was Alvarez's first since returning from a thumb injury June 11, and he has eight hits and five RBI during a modest four-game hitting streak. On the season, Alvarez is slashing .271/.319/.400 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 91 plate appearances.

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

Smith has caught four of the Dodgers' last five games and will give way to Austin Barnes behind the plate Friday. Smith has just two hits in his last 23 at-bats, but the hits were a two-run triple and a solo homer.

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Stephenson is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, Chris Renkel of Local 12 in Cincinnati reports.

Stephenson was behind the plate Monday and served as the team's designated hitter Tuesday, but he's now missed two straight games sandwiched around Thursday's team off day. It's not clear exactly what Stephenson is dealing with, but the Reds brought up Austin Wynns as insurance at catcher.

Naylor is out of the lineup Friday against Toronto.

Naylor will ride the pine for a second consecutive game, giving way to Austin Hedges behind the dish Friday. Naylor is 5-for-28 (.178) in his last nine games with a 36.7 percent strikeout rate during that stretch.

Fry is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

After making three straight starts -- one at catcher, two at DH -- Fry will take a seat Friday. Steven Kwan will DH and lead off while Austin Hedges catches and bats ninth. After batting .383 with seven homers in May, Fry has cooled off significantly in June, batting .208 without a home run in 52 plate appearances.

Bart (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Bart will see game action for the first time since being placed on the 10-day IL on May 28, a significant step forward in his recovery from a Grade 1 thumb sprain on his glove hand. Once he's cleared to rejoin the Pirates, Bart should push Jason Delay out of the catching mix.

Caratini (left hip flexor strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Thursday.

Caratini was lifted from Wednesday's game against the White Sox with soreness in his left quad, but imaging revealed he's in fact dealing with a left hip flexor strain. Cesar Salazar should see some catching work behind Yainer Diaz while Caratini is sidelined.

The Marlins selected Sanchez's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday

Miami acquired Sanchez from the Cubs on Wednesday and will quickly bring him up to the active roster as the team looks for another option behind the plate. Christian Bethancourt was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, leaving Nick Fortes -- who's slashing .159/.194/.225 this season -- as Sanchez's only competition at catcher.

Stephenson is out of the lineup Friday against Boston.

Stephenson will give way to Luke Maile behind the dish Friday for the fourth time in five games. Stephenson owns a .723 OPS across 213 plate appearances this season.

Stubbs isn't in the starting nine for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

With lefty Jordan Montgomery on the mound for Arizona, Stubbs will yield to Rafael Marchan behind the dish. Stubbs is 4-for-19 (.210) since J.T. Realmuto's (knee) injury.