MLB Player News

Smith is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Pirates on Sunday.

Smith has started in the Dodgers' last two games after returning from a left wrist injury, going 0-for-7 with one walk, one run scored and three strikeouts. He'll get a breather Sunday while Austin Barnes starts behind home plate and bats ninth against Pirates southpaw Bailey Falter.

Murphy is not in Atlanta's starting lineup against Arizona on Sunday.

Murphy started in the first two games of the series, going 2-for-6 with two runs scored and a solo homer. He'll get a breather for Sunday's series finale while Drake Baldwin gets the start behind home plate and bats eighth against Arizona right-hander Brandon Pfaadt.

Moreno is not in Arizona's starting lineup against Atlanta on Sunday.

Moreno will take a breather Sunday after going 2-for-8 with one run scored and three RBI over the first two games of the series. Jose Herrera will start behind home plate and bat ninth against Atlanta right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach.

The Rockies optioned Fulford to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Fulford was recalled Saturday when Aaron Schunk (groin) was placed on the IL, but he'll return to Triple-A after the Rockies selected Alan Trejo's contract from Albuquerque. Fulford has a 1.345 OPS across 44 plate appearances in Triple-A and could return to the majors if Hunter Goodman or Jacob Stallings are unavailable.

Ruiz is not in the Nationals' starting lineup against the Mets on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz will get Sunday off while Riley Adams serves behind home plate and bats ninth against Mets right-hander Tylor Megill. Ruiz went 0-for-6 with two walks and a strikeout over the first two games of the series.

Huff went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

Huff drew the start at catcher Saturday, cracking his first double of the season into right field before coming around to score in the fifth frame. The 27-year-old went 0-for-10 in his first four games, though he has recorded a .333 batting average with two runs scored and two RBI since. Huff is slashing .214/.290/.357 with a 3:11 BB:K across 31 plate appearances in 11 games.

Alvarez is not in the Mets' starting lineup against the Nationals on Sunday.

Alvarez started in the first two games of the series after being activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, going 2-for-8 with a solo home run. He'll get a break Sunday while Luis Torrens starts behind home plate and bats seventh against Nationals left-hander Mitchell Parker.

Stephenson (oblique) served as the designated hitter for both ends of Saturday's doubleheader with Triple-A Louisville. He went a combined 1-for-7 with a walk.

Stephenson, who kicked off a rehab assignment Tuesday, was unable to play Thursday and Friday due to rainouts. After playing two seven-inning games Saturday, Stephenson is expected to serve as the DH again Sunday. A three-game weekend is a good test, but he's yet to play a full game as a catcher. That may be something the organization wants to see before activating Stephenson from the 10-day injured list.

Moreno went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 8-7 loss to Atlanta.

Moreno was moved up to the fifth spot in the order with Lourdes Gurriel getting the day off. He worked an 11-pitch at-bat, fouling off five 3-2 pitches before delivering a two-run single. Moreno has a modest three-game hit streak (3-for-11, three RBI), but overall he hasn't made much of an impact. The catcher is batting .224 with two extra-base hits and five RBI through 23 contests.

Murphy went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks in Saturday's 8-7 extra-inning win over Arizona.

Murphy has three homers over his last five games, a span in which he has gone 4-for-15 (.267). The catcher went deep off Merrill Kelly in the second inning of this contest. Murphy is at a .220/.350/.660 slash line with seven homers, 13 RBI, nine runs scored and a double over 15 games this season. He has been Atlanta's primary catcher since early April after recovering from fractured rib, though any drop in performance by Murphy could open the door for prospect Drake Baldwin to seize more playing time.