MLB Player News

Campusano (toe) will embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso later this week, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Campusano is ready to take the next step in his recovery from a left toe fracture that landed him on the injured list in early May. Rodolfo Duran has served as the Padres' backup catcher behind Freddy Fermin, but the former would likely be optioned to Triple-A once Campusano is ready to return from the 10-day IL. Barring any setbacks, Campusano could be back with the big club in early-to-mid July, perhaps prior to the All-Star break.

Smith (neck) isn't expected to be ready to return from the 10-day injured list when the Dodgers begin a 10-game homestand Thursday to close out their first-half schedule, MLB.com reports.

Smith landed on the injured list June 11 due to neck inflammation and has yet to resume baseball activities since hitting the shelf. The Dodgers could still be leaving the door open for Smith to return at some point later on during the homestand, but unless he's able to start ramping up by the end of the week, the team could be inclined to hold him out through the All-Star break. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as the Dodgers' primary option behind the dish for however long Smith remains out.

Hicks (back) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list Tuesday in Colorado when first eligible, MLB.com reports.

Hicks participated in full baseball activities Friday and is swinging without limitations and able to catch. The Marlins have an ideal seven-game schedule this week, facing the Rockies and Athletics in hitter-friendly venues. Even though he'll remain out for the Marlins' opening game in Colorado, Hicks looks like a viable option in weekly leagues that start two catchers.

Duno was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga on Sunday.

Duno will make the leap to the Double-A level after producing a .250 batting average with 16 home runs, 47 RBI, 46 runs scored and two stolen bases over 242 at-bats in 65 contests with High-A Dayton so far this season. The 20-year-old is considered to the the Reds' top overall prospect, and he could be on track to make his major-league debut during the 2027 campaign.

Sanchez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs.

Getting the start behind the plate with William Contreras receiving the day off, Sanchez produced Milwaukee's first run of the game by taking Ryan Rolison deep in the second inning. The veteran catcher has swung the bat well in a limited role lately, batting .300 (9-for-30) with three home runs over his last 11 games.

Fermin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Since he was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday, Fermin has started twice behind the plate while Rodolfo Duran has caught the other three games. Though he has a longer track record at the big-league level, Fermin could be used in a timeshare with Duran until he's further removed from the concussion he sustained June 13.

Rushing is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Rushing will receive a breather after he started behind the plate in each of the past three games. Chuckie Robinson will handle catching duties for the Dodgers in the series finale in San Diego.

Haase will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Triple-A Sacramento call-up Drew Cavanaugh received the first two starts at catcher following Daniel Susac's (back) placement on the injured list Friday, but Haase could end up being the main beneficiary from a playing-time standpoint while Susac is shelved. Since being promoted from Triple-A on April 21, Haase is batting just .200 but has made his 12 hits count, slugging four home runs and three doubles over 66 plate appearances.

Crooks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

The left-handed-hitting Crooks is on the bench for the fourth time in five games, with three of those absences coming against right-handed starting pitchers. He's mustered an uninspiring .157/.246/.255 slash line over 57 plate appearances since being called up from Triple-A Memphis on May 29. Until Crooks begins to pick up the pace at the plate, he could be in store for a limited role as part of a three-way timeshare at catcher with Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera.

Baldwin is batting fifth as the designated hitter Sunday against the Giants.

It's the 10th start in 11 games since Baldwin returned from the injured list in mid-June. The 25-year-old homered in his first game back from the oblique strain but overall has struggled, going 2-for-39 with a walk and 20 strikeouts. That poor stretch has lowered his OPS for the season from .931 to .813 through 58 contests.