MLB Player News

The Dodgers reinstated Smith (neck) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Smith is ready to rejoin the Dodgers after missing nearly three months due to a neck injury. The veteran backstop went 4-for-16 with two doubles and a homer during his five-game rehab assignment and is looking to shake off an underwhelming start to the year that saw him post a .720 OPS through 52 games. Dalton Rushing (elbow) is also back from the injured list, though he's expected to served as a left-handed bench bat while Smith and Hunter Feduccia handle catching duties.

The Nationals transferred Millas (finger) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Shifting Millas to the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the Nationals' September call-ups. Millas has been out since mid-July with a fractured left index finger. He'll be eligible to return in mid-September and should have a chance to be activated at some point this month.

The Phillies activated Marchan (knee) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Marchan has been shelved since late July with left knee patellar tendinitis, but he's been cleared to return after playing 12 rehab games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 27-year-old will operate as an extra catcher for the Phillies in the final month.

The Pirates selected Bethancourt's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

The veteran backstop was acquired from the Yankees for cash in mid-August and will now get his first look in the majors with Pittsburgh. Bethancourt last appeared in the majors in 2024 and had a .209/.241/.367 slash line in 62 regular-season games with the Marlins and Cubs. He isn't likely to see much playing time as the club's No. 3 catcher behind Rafael Flores and Henry Davis.

The Pirates transferred Rodriguez (hip) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the addition of Christian Bethancourt. Rodriguez underwent season-ending surgery last week to repair the labrum in his left hip.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Monday's 7-3 win over Atlanta.

Knizner hit a double in the second inning and added a single in the sixth before coming around to score. The veteran catcher signed with San Francisco on Aug. 11 and has appeared in 11 games, slashing .222/.300/.407 with a home run and two additional runs scored across 30 plate appearances.

The Padres selected Salas' contract from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

The Friars' top prospect, Salas is joining the big-league club for his first look in the majors. The 20-year-old was promoted to the Triple-A level in late July and carried a hot bat in his 24 games at the highest level of the minors with a .326/.410/.539 slash line in 105 plate appearances. Salas should see plenty of reps behind the plate for the Padres down the stretch, with Freddy Fermin -- who is starting Tuesday in Cincinnati -- and Luis Campusano likely to mix in occasionally.

The Cardinals recalled Bernal from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Bernal earned the call-up after slashing .278/.363/.468 with 16 home runs across 101 contests for Memphis. He will join fellow catchers Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages on the roster, but Bernal could receive the lion's share of reps behind the plate in September as the Cardinals look to see where he might fit into their plans for 2027.

Kelly went 3-for-5 with a walk, a solo home run and two total RBI in Monday's 17-3 win over the Brewers

Kelly hit one of nine Chicago home runs in the rout, launching his 10th long ball of the season in the seventh inning. The veteran Chicago catcher has now recorded double figures in homers in consecutive seasons for the first time in his MLB career. Kelly has largely held off Miguel Amaya for the starting role with the Cubs, and he's been a fairly solid offensive backstop for fantasy managers the last two years.

The Cardinals optioned Crooks to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Crooks has been unable to find a groove at the plate since he was called up in late May, slashing just .179/.255/.336 with five home runs and a 32.2 percent strikeout rate. With Crooks returning to Memphis, the Cardinals are poised to promote Leo Bernal on Tuesday to work into the catcher mix with Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages.