MLB Player News

Realmuto went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and two walks in Thursday's 6-2 victory over Washington.

The 32-year-old backstop swatted an opposite-field, two-run homer off Joe La Sorsa in the seventh inning, extending Philadelphia's lead to 6-1. Realmuto's season-long batting average now sits at .246, well below his career .273 mark, but he's added 14 home runs, 22 doubles, five triples, 46 RBI, 48 runs and 12 steals through 99 games this year.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-2 victory versus the Rays.

Knizner got the scoring started in the contest, belting a two-run shot in the fourth inning. He added a single for his fourth multi-hit effort over his past seven games. Knizner has been red-hot during that stretch, notching at least one hit in each contest and posting a .444 batting average along with four homers, nine RBI and five runs.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Thursday against the Rockies.

Smith is currently enjoying a seven-game hitting streak but will get a breather for Thursday's series opener with the Rockies. Austin Barnes will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Jansen's X-rays on his right hand returned negative Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen was diagnosed with a right hand contusion after getting hit by a pitch Thursday. The 28-year-old stayed in the game initially, and he is now labeled as day-to-day. The Blue Jays head into a series against the Cubs over the weekend.

Jansen was diagnosed with a right hand contusion after getting hit by a pitch in Thursday's loss to the Guardians.

Jansen took a Noah Syndergaard changeup to the right hand/wrist in the top of the sixth inning, but he initially stayed in the game to run for himself and seems to have avoided a serious injury. The 28-year-old catcher can be considered day-to-day heading into the Blue Jays' three-game weekend series against the Cubs.

O'Hoppe (shoulder) went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and a walk in a rehab appearance with Single-A Inland Empire on Wednesday.

O'Hoppe kicked off his rehab stint with Inland Empire on Tuesday and went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. He looked less rusty Wednesday, reaching base in three of five plate appearances. O'Hoppe was behind the plate Tuesday before batting second as the 66ers' DH on Wednesday. He's expected to need 2-to-3 weeks before he's ready to return to the major-league club.

Contreras is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Rays.

This looks to be a routine day of rest for Contreras, who has slashed .394/.482/.662 with four homers and seven doubles over his last 23 games (85 plate appearances) dating back to July 3. Andrew Knizner is catching and Nolan Arenado is serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter. Taylor Motter will play third base.

Jansen was removed from Thursday's game against the Guardians after taking a pitch off his right wrist, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Jansen got hit by a 87.7-mph Noah Syndergaard changeup in the top of the sixth inning. He ran for himself before the Blue Jays called on Alejandro Kirk to replace him at catcher for the bottom of the sixth. Jansen finished the day 0-for-1 with a walk, the HBP and a run scored.

Fermin went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Fermin is 9-for-28 (.321) with three homers, two doubles and five RBI over seven games in August. With Salvador Perez seeing more time at first base, Fermin has been able to carve out a larger role behind the plate. The catcher is slashing a strong .303/.339/.542 with nine long balls, 27 RBI, 22 runs scored, eight doubles and a triple over 166 plate appearances this season, suggesting his recent success is more than a flash in a pan. That said, Fermin has a .342 BABIP on the year, so he's also had a decent share of good luck.

Murphy is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Pittsburgh, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud have split starts at catcher pretty evenly over the last couple weeks. It's also a day game after a night game, so d'Arnaud will be behind the plate after Murphy caught Wednesday.