MLB Player News

Thaiss went 1-for-3 with a solo home run against Seattle in Sunday's extra-inning loss.

Thaiss hit a big solo shot in the seventh inning to tie the game 2-2, but the Mariners ended up pulling out the win in the the 10th frame. The long ball was Thaiss's first since July 18, a span of 13 games. The catcher struggled mightily during that stretch, slashing .103/.200/.103 with no extra-base hits and a 33.3 percent strikeout rate over 45 plate appearances. Thaiss has held onto the primary catcher role since Chad Wallach hasn't hit any better, but both will likely see their playing time reduced when Logan O'Hoppe (shoulder) is ready to return, likely near the end of August.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz's absence from the lineup doesn't appear to be anything more than a rest day, considering that he made three starts (two at catcher, one at designated hitter) during the Nationals' series sweep of the Reds over the weekend. Riley Adams will step in for Ruiz behind the dish Monday.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Vazquez will give way to Ryan Jeffers behind the dish for the series opener. The two backstops have now alternated starts at catcher over the last eight games.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers.

The Padres and Dodgers are concluding their four-game series with a rare Monday day game after a Sunday night game, so Sanchez will get a breather after he was behind the plate for both of the previous two contests while going 3-for-7 with a solo home run, a double, a walk and an additional run. Luis Campusano will draw the start at catcher Monday, but Sanchez still appears to be the Padres' preferred option at the position for now.

Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

Rodriguez tallied his second multi-hit effort and his first three-hit game since he was called up in mid-July. The 23-year-old has gotten off to a slow start in his first taste at the major-league level, as he's now slashing .231/.286/.462 with two homers, seven RBI, eight runs and a 4:20 BB:K in 56 plate appearances. Rodriguez should get all the playing time he can handle down the stretch, with his only competition behind the dish being Jason Delay, who has made two starts since being called up Aug. 1.

Bethancourt went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Tigers.

Bethancourt tallied his first multi-hit effort since June 30 and had just his second extra-base hit in his last 20 games. The 31-year-old has had a rough go at the plate this year, slashing .218/.251/.368 with seven homers, 23 RBI, 33 runs and an 11:63 BB:K in 248 plate appearances. Despite his struggles, Bethancourt faces little competition for starts behind the dish since Francisco Mejia (knee) went down with a sprained knee July 20.

O'Hoppe (shoulder) will report to Single-A Inland Empire this week to begin a rehab assignment, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

O'Hoppe has been sidelined since late April while working his way back from surgery to repair a torn labrum. He's reached the final stage of his arduous recovery program by heading out on a rehab assignment, but because of his lengthy layoff, O'Hoppe will likely require most of the 20-day rehab window to regain his timing at the plate before he's activated from the 60-day injured list. Once he's activated, O'Hoppe could supplant Matt Thaiss as the Angels' everyday catcher.

Smith is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith started the past eight games and will receive a day off after going 5-for-28 during that stretch. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate and bat ninth Sunday.

Perez was diagnosed with a bruised left hand after exiting Sunday's game against the Phillies after two innings, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

While serving as the Royals' starting catcher Sunday, Perez went 1-for-1 with a base hit and a run before leaving the contest following his second plate appearance of the day, when he was hit in the hand by a pitch. Fortunately for the veteran backstop, initial scans ruled out any structural damage. Perez could be dealing with soreness or swelling to the hand, however, making it uncertain if he'll be ready to return to the lineup for Monday's series opener in Boston.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Fortes started behind the dish in both of the previous two games and appears to have moved ahead of Jacob Stallings in the pecking order at catcher. However, with the Marlins and Rangers concluding their series with a day game after a night game, Fortes will get a breather while Stallings catches for starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara.