MLB Player News

Hicks went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Monday's loss to the Dodgers.

Hicks powered the Marlins' offense with a three-run homer off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the fifth inning, though the Dodgers rallied to walk it off in the ninth inning. Hicks has seen time at catcher, first base and designated hitter this season and produced regardless of role, slashing .311/.350/.544 with six homers, three doubles, 27 RBI and 17 runs across 28 games. His 27 RBI ranks second in MLB, trailing only Sal Stewart (29).

Ballesteros went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Monday's 9-7 loss against the Padres.

Ballesteros, making his second appearance of the season at catcher Monday, put the Cubs back in the game with a grand slam in the fourth inning to give his club the lead, though it wouldn't hold in a high-scoring loss. It has been a monster start to 2026 for the 22-year-old, who's slashing .387/.435/.710 with five homers, five doubles, 16 RBI and 12 runs across 25 games. Chicago has maximized his opportunities against right-handed pitching, with 57 of Ballesteros' 62 at-bats coming against righties.

Ballesteros will start at catcher and bat sixth in Monday's game versus the Padres.

It's the first start and second appearance at catcher this season for Ballesteros, who is slashing .397/.446/.690 with four home runs as the Cubs' primary designated hitter. Most of Ballesteros' playing time is likely to continue to come at DH, but it would be a major boost to his fantasy prospects if he catches enough to gain eligibility at the position.

Smith (back) will start at catcher and bat third in Monday's game versus the Marlins.

Smith missed both of the previous two contests with back tightness, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Monday's series opener. The veteran catcher has slashed .266/.337/.392 with three home runs across his first 89 plate appearances this season.

The Marlins optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Hernandez will head to the minors after producing a .159/.284/.190 batting line across 74 plate appearances on the season. His roster spot will be absorbed by Christopher Morel (oblique), who was reinstated from the injured list.

Pages (hamstring) will start at catcher and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Pirates.

A sore left hamstring knocked Pages out of Saturday's 11-9 loss to the Mariners and kept him from playing in Sunday's series finale, but the lone day off appears to be all that the backstop needed to overcome the issue. Pages will step back in behind the dish Monday in Pittsburgh, and while he may continue to operate as St. Louis' main catcher, he'll likely continue to cede at least a couple starts per week to Ivan Herrera.

Pozo went 0-for-1 in his lone plate appearance Sunday in the 3-2 loss to the Mariners.

Pozo came in as a pinch-hitter in the ninth and grounded out for the second put-out of the inning. The right-hander, who is operating as the secondary backup catcher and designated hitter, has gotten some playing time this season with Pedro Pages (hamstring) out a couple of games. The 28-year-old has only started in two games so far this season and has mostly come on as a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement at catcher.

Moreno (oblique) is expected to rejoin the Diamondbacks during the series against the Cubs that begins Friday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The most recent news had Moreno returning Tuesday for the series against the Brewers, but it's been pushed back until at least Friday. The Diamondbacks are getting by with backups behind the plate, but Adrian Del Castillo (finger) is day-to-day after being removed from Sunday's game. James McCann and Aramis Garcia are still on the 26-man roster to carry the catching load until Moreno and/or Del Castillo are ready.

Campusano went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional RBI in Sunday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Campusano drew the start behind the plate to wrap up the weekend in Mexico City, doubling and homering Sunday after slugging two doubles and a homer in his previous start Wednesday against the Rockies. After going hitless in 10 regular-season games at the big-league level in 2025, the 27-year-old has been on fire to begin 2026, slashing .350/.395/.750 with three homers, nine RBI and eight runs through 14 games. Freddy Fermin is the lead catcher and is more well regarded on the defensive side, but Campusano's continued success should earn him opportunities in the lineup.

Del Castillo suffered a left ring finger dislocation and exited Sunday's contest against the Padres in the top of the third inning.

Del Castillo sustained the injury while behind the plate, and he was replaced by James McCann in the contest. Del Castillo finished his day having gone 0-for-1 at the plate with a strikeout, and more information on his status moving forward will likely be provided in the near future.