MLB Player News

Smith is in the Dodgers' lineup Tuesday versus Atlanta, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith took a Marcell Ozuna backswing to the head in Monday's series opener, but he played the entire game and ultimately checked out fine afterward. The star catcher is slashing .297/.399/.541 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 31 games (138 plate appearances) this season for Los Angeles.

Contreras is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Astros.

Victor Caratini will catch and bat eighth versus the Astros and right-hander J.P. France. Contreras has an .873 OPS this year against lefties compared to a .675 OPS against righties.

Maldonado isn't starting Tuesday against the Brewers.

Maldonado went 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored against his former club Monday, earning himself a day off. Yainer Diaz will take over behind the plate Tuesday and bat seventh.

Pineda (finger) was cleared Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wilmington, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Pineda was placed on the major-league injured list just before Opening Day after suffering a fractured finger on his right hand during spring training. He'll probably be stationed at Triple-A Rochester whenever he's deemed fully healthy, with Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams remaining up as the catching tandem in Washington.

Alvarez is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs.

Gary Sanchez will get the start at catcher and bat ninth versus the Cubs and left-hander Drew Smyly. Mark Vientos is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth.

Perez went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's 8-5 extra-inning loss to the Tigers.

Perez's blast tied the game at 3-3 in the first inning, though the scoring simmered down after that. While the catcher has gone yard twice in the last three games, he's hitting just .172 (5-for-29) over his last seven contests. He's still been one of the Royals' most productive hitters with 11 homers, 27 RBI, 24 runs scored, 11 doubles and a .279/.319/.535 slash line through 44 games this season.

Maldonado went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored Monday against the Brewers.

Maldonado took Corbin Burnes deep in the second inning to tally his third homer of the season. While he's not known for his bat, he does have at least one hit in 12 of his last 15 games, a span in which he's maintained a .319 average with five RBI and six runs scored. Maldonado's track record suggests that level of success at the plate will not continue, though he should continue to be a regular in the lineup thanks to his strong defense.

Garver (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Garver will serve as the designated hitter the first two games, then the plan is to have him catch the third game. The planned length of Garver's rehab assignment isn't yet known.

Raleigh went 1-for-5 with one RBI and a run scored in Monday's 11-2 win over the Athletics.

Raleigh missed both of the Mariners' games over the weekend while dealing with neck spasms. Even with the blowout, he caught all nine innings, so he should be good to go in his usual role. The power-hitting catcher has hit safely in six of his last seven games and is slashing .232/.321/.449 with seven home runs, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, seven doubles and a triple through 156 plate appearances this season.

Diaz went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk and two RBI in Monday's 5-3 win over the Marlins.

Diaz had an RBI double in the first inning and added a solo shot in the sixth. He's hit safely in eight of his last nine games, going 11-for-33 (.333) over that span, but his homer was his first since May 2. The catcher is slashing a strong .333/.391/.489 with four long balls, 24 RBI, 17 runs scored and nine doubles through 41 contests this season.