MLB Player News

Stephenson is absent from the lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Stephenson started at catcher in the first game of the twin bill, going 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. The Reds will turn to Jose Trevino behind the dish for the nightcap.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Rodriguez is gathering a second opinion on his left hip injury, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Pittsburgh listed Rodriguez's injury as left hip inflammation when he was placed on the shelf Thursday, but the organization may be concerned that the 26-year-old catcher might be dealing with something more significant. While Tomczyk relayed that the Pirates are expected to have more information on Rodriguez's condition later this week, it's reasonable to expect Rodriguez to spend more than the minimum 10 days on the injured list. Henry Davis and Rafael Flores will continue to share playing time behind the dish while Rodriguez is on the mend.

Davis will start at catcher and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Tigers.

With fellow backstop Endy Rodriguez (hip) recently returning to the injured list, Davis has re-emerged as the Pirates' top option behind the dish. He'll pick up his seventh start in nine games while the Pirates open up a three-game set versus the Tigers. Davis is slashing just .143/.219/.143 with no extra-base hits, two RBI and two runs since the start of August, so he's not doing much to take advantage of his larger share of playing time.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that Mack is out of the lineup Monday against the Phillies due to a right shoulder injury, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

McCullough relayed that he wasn't overly concerned about Mack's shoulder issue, but the 23-year-old catcher will be relegated to the bench for a second straight game and is considered day-to-day. Brian Navarreto will draw the start behind the plate and bat ninth, forming a battery with starting pitcher Janson Junk.

Goodman (shoulder) will start at catcher and bat third in Monday's game against the Dodgers.

Goodman has been cleared to resume his usual duties behind plate following a three-game absence due to left shoulder inflammation. While the Rockies could look to build in an off day for Goodman during their six-game week at Coors Field, fantasy managers should have no hesitation about keeping the two-time All-Star catcher active now that he's been confirmed to start in the series opener with the Dodgers.

Ramirez went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Reds.

A game that began as a pitchers' duel between Eury Perez and Nick Lodolo turned into a Miami rout when the Cincinnati bullpen melted down late. Ramirez did his part, reaching on an error and scoring in the eighth inning before smacking a two-run double in the ninth. Since returning to the majors following the trade that sent Liam Hicks to Tampa Bay, Ramirez has gone 7-for-23 (.304) with two doubles, one steal, three RBI and five runs in 10 games.

Torrens went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Though he remains the No. 2 catcher on the depth chart behind Francisco Alvarez, Torrens has capitalized on the opportunities he's received so far in August. Through his seven starts this month, Torrens has gone 8-for-21 (.381 average) with four home runs, four walks, one stolen base, 10 RBI and six runs. Considering Torrens left the yard just twice through his first 65 games of the season and owns an unremarkable .358 slugging percentage over his nine-year big-league career, fantasy players shouldn't count on the journeyman backstop's recent power surge lasting much longer.

Crooks is out of the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Reds.

The Reds are sending southpaw Kent Emanuel to the bump for Game 1, so the left-handed-hitting Crooks will begin the contest on the bench. Crooks could draw a start behind the plate in the second game of the day, when a right-hander (Rhett Lowder) will be on the mound for Cincinnati.

Stephenson entered Sunday's game as a pinch hitter and hit a solo home run in a 7-1 loss to Miami.

Stephenson's eighth-inning blast made it a 2-1 game before the Marlins put it out of reach with a five-run ninth. The home run was the 12th of the season for Stephenson, who's hit six of them in the last 21 games. What had been a rough first half (.680 OPS) has given way to a productive second half (1.003), as the 30-year-old backstop sets himself up for unrestricted free agency this offseason.

Sullivan went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run, a walk and two total runs scored in Sunday's 13-7 win over the Giants.

Sullivan has found a groove at the plate lately, going 10-for-29 with three home runs and 11 RBI over his last 10 contests. He's seen a short-term bump in playing time, starting in each of the past four games while Hunter Goodman (shoulder) has been battling an injury. So long as Goodman avoids a trip to the injured list, however, Sullivan will soon see his opportunities fall by the wayside.