MLB Player News

Realmuto is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

It's a routine day of rest after Realmuto had started at catcher in each of the previous six contests. Garrett Stubbs will be behind the dish and batting ninth in Friday's series opener versus the Pirates.

Ruiz is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Orioles.

Ruiz still leads the Nationals with 23 starts at catcher this season, but Drew Millas has almost pulled even with him, as this will be his 22nd start behind the dish Friday. It's the second start in a row for Millas.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a 5-2 win against San Francisco on Thursday.

For the first time in his career, Smith was inserted into the lineup as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter. He wasted little time making the move look like a stroke of genius, launching his fourth homer of the campaign to lead off Los Angeles' half of the first inning. Smith's eye at the plate and contact skills are befitting of a leadoff hitter, but he isn't likely to slot into that role often. Shohei Ohtani, who typically bats atop the order, was given a second straight day off from hitting Thursday as part of a plan to help him reset, but the two-way star is expected to be back in the lineup Friday versus the Angels.

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBI on Thursday against the Rockies.

Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, but his start behind the plate Thursday was his season debut. He immediately made a strong impression, doubling in his first at-bat before driving in two with a single one frame later. Rodriguez is likely to remain behind Henry Davis on the depth chart for the time being, but Rodriguez could force his way into the lineup if he continues to deliver at the dish.

Rodriguez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rodriguez will begin Thursday's game on the bench after going 0-for-7 with a walk and an RBI over two of the first three games of the series. Eric Haase will work as San Francisco's starting catcher and bat ninth.

Duno has homered in three consecutive games for High-A Dayton and is currently riding an eight-game hit steak.

After a slow start to the season -- Duno batted .203 over the first 20 contests -- the catching prosepct has put on a show in the Midwest League. Since April 30, he's gone 16-for-40 (.400) with seven extra-base hits (four home runs) and nine RBI over 10 games. In addition to the bat coming around recently, Duno has showed off strong plate discipline and swing decisions for the Dragons all season with a .412 OBP, 18.7 BB% and 25:28 BB:K.

Smith is leading off as the designated hitter Thursday versus the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

This is the first time in Smith's MLB career that he is hitting leadoff. He is taking over Shohei Ohtani's position and spot in the lineup Thursday while Dalton Rushing starts behind the plate. Smith has an underwhelming .229/.317/.371 slash line with two doubles and a homer through 10 games in May.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Atlanta.

Kelly started at catcher in four of the previous five games, so he'll get a breather in Thursday's series finale. Miguel Amaya is doing the catching and batting eighth for the Cubs.

Susac (elbow) is nearing a return and may be reinstated from the injured list as soon as Friday's game against the Athletics, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Susac was placed on the 10-day injured list April 21 and began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on May 7, slashing .529/.619/.882 with five RBI, five runs scored, two home runs and a stolen base in 21 plate appearances over five outings with the River Cats. The 25-year-old catcher could rejoin the parent club during its three-game trip to Sacramento before the Giants head to Arizona. Susac is expected to serve as San Francisco's primary option behind the plate with Patrick Bailey now in Cleveland, though Jesus Rodriguez is still likely to factor into the mix.

Pages is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Athletics.

Ivan Herrera has been Michael McGreevy's personal catcher this season, and they will form Thursday's battery. Pages has had a rough start to May offensively, going 2-for-26 with a 1:9 BB:K.