MLB Player News

Ruiz is out of the lineup Thursday versus the Yankees due to lightheadedness, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz took a foul tip off his catcher's mask in the Nationals' blowout loss to New York on Wednesday and was feeling the effects of it Thursday morning. There's no word yet as to whether he'll have to be placed in concussion protocol. Riley Adams is starting behind the dish and batting seventh in Thursday's matinee game at Yankee Stadium.

Ruiz is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Riley Adams will start at catcher and bat seventh for the Nationals as they wrap up this three-game set with a matinee tilt in New York. Ruiz went 2-for-7 with two singles in the first two games of the series.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Rays, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

The Rockies have a day game after playing a night game Wednesday, so Diaz will receive a well-earned breather. Austin Wynns will do the catching for Peter Lambert.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Rays.

The veteran backstop got the Rockies on the board in the fifth inning with a solo shot off Aaron Civale before adding a two-run single in the sixth that put his team ahead, only for closer Justin Lawrence to melt down again in the ninth. The streaky Diaz seems to be heating up again -- after going 4-for-38 (.105) with only a solo homer over his prior 12 games, he's erupted for nine hits and eight RBI in his last four. On the season, Diaz is slashing .271/.322/.425 with 13 home runs, 37 runs and 59 RBI in a career-high 111 contests.

Stephenson went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in a 7-3 win over the Angels in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Stephenson went deep in the fourth inning to put the Reds ahead 3-1. The catcher has homered twice over his last three games to get to 10 long balls on the year. He's slashing .241/.324/.362 with 42 RBI, 50 runs scored, 13 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 113 contests as the Reds' primary backstop.

Diaz went 3-for-5 with one RBI in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Diaz extended his hitting streak to seven games, a span in which he's gone 12-for-31 (.387) with three home runs and seven RBI. The 24-year-old has seen a bit more playing time this week with Yordan Alvarez (finger) battling an injury. Diaz is up to a .286/.302/.541 slash line with 18 home runs, 18 doubles, 46 RBI and 37 runs scored across 82 contests this season. He continues to provide cover at catcher, designated hitter and first base.

Maldonado went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Maldonado is hitting .234 (11-for-47) in August, with four extra-base hits and eight RBI across 15 contests. That's a better average than his .180 mark for the year, and he's at a poor .568 OPS even with the improved power output of late. The veteran catcher has added 26 RBI, 25 runs scored, 10 homers and 10 doubles through 93 contests as the Astros' top backstop.

O'Hoppe isn't in the Angels' lineup for the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against Cincinnati, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

After a 1-for-5 effort in the first half of the twin bill, O'Hoppe will get a breather to close out Wednesday's action. Matt Thaiss will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that McCann is day-to-day with a bruised left hand, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

McCann was struck in the hand by a 98-mph fastball during the Orioles' loss to the Blue Jays on Tuesday, though he finished out the entire 10-inning game behind the plate. He's not playing Wednesday but should be able to avoid the injured list and remain active as the backup to star catcher Adley Rutschman.

Bethancourt will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Though he's hitting .300 with a .756 OPS in August, Bethancourt's standing atop the depth chart at catcher may still be somewhat shaky. He was on the bench for four of the previous six games while the Rays opted to give Rene Pinto more work behind the dish. Bethancourt's longer track record should be enough to make him the Rays' nominal No. 1 catcher, and both he and Pinto will no longer be threatened by Francisco Mejia (knee), who was designated for assignment Tuesday after being reinstated from the 10-day injured list.