MLB Player News
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Miguel Amaya C | CHC
Cubs' Miguel Amaya: Goes deep in win
Amaya went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Cardinals.
This was Amaya's first home run since July 13 and just his fourth of the year. The young catcher has yet to deliver a true offensive breakout at the MLB level with a career .215 average and .626 OPS across his first two seasons along with just nine total long balls. Working in Amaya's favor is a clear grip on the starting job at the moment, with light-hitting journeyman Christian Bethancourt as the only other backstop currently on the active roster.
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Endy Rodriguez C | PIT
Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Could play in MiLB games in 2024
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday "there's a chance" Rodiguez (elbow) plays in minor-league games later this season, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The 24-year-old won't see the field for the Pirates this season as he makes his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in December, but seeing action in minor-league games would be an encouraging development heading into 2025. Rodriguez will be eased back in behind the plate and will instead see his initial work at first base and designated hitter in order to help him get more at-bats. He was spotted taking grounders in the infield prior to Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, per Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Receiving rest Sunday
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Smith started the previous four games but will receive Sunday off in the midst of a 3-for-32 slump. Austin Barnes will step in behind the plate to catch for righty River Ryan.
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Victor Caratini C | HOU
Astros' Victor Caratini: On bench for second straight game
Caratini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Caratini's playing time had been trending up while the Astros had shown more of a willingness to play Yordan Alvarez in left field of late, but the former now finds himself on the bench for the second day in a row. Assuming Alvarez gets the bulk of his starts at DH moving forward, Yainer Diaz will continue to serve as the Astros' top backstop, which closes off Caratini's path to steady starts.
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Ryan Jeffers C | MIN
Twins' Ryan Jeffers: Giving way to Vazquez on Sunday
Jeffers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Jeffers will take a seat for the series finale as he and Christian Vazquez continue to alternate turns behind the dish. Neither of the two backstops has made consecutive starts at catcher since the All-Star break.
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Jake Rogers C | DET
Tigers' Jake Rogers: Resting Sunday
Rogers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.
Rogers had started behind the plate in the previous two contests, but he'll hit the bench for the series finale with Kansas City while Dillon Dingler handles catching duties. The two backstops could be deployed in a timeshare until one clearly separates himself from the other as the preferred option.
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Bo Naylor C | CLE
Guardians' Bo Naylor: Receiving Sunday off
Naylor is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Naylor has a .626 OPS in 10 games since the All-Star break and will take a seat for Sunday's matchup with Baltimore. Austin Hedges will step behind the plate to catch for right-hander Gavin Williams.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Getting afternoon off
Moreno is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.
After a recent one-game absence due to a wrist injury, Moreno stepped back in behind the dish for the first two contests of the series in Pittsburgh, going 2-for-8 with a walk, a stolen base and a run. He'll get a breather for Sunday's finale while Jose Herrera handles catching duties.
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Nick Fortes C | MIA
Marlins' Nick Fortes: Heading to bench Sunday
Fortes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Atlanta.
Fortes and Ali Sanchez have now alternated turns behind the plate over the Marlins' last eight games, with both backstops getting four starts apiece. Since the All-Star break, Fortes has posted a .902 OPS compared to Sanchez's .063 mark during that same stretch, so Fortes should still be viewed as the Marlins' preferred option at catcher.