MLB Player News

The Giants reinstated Susac (back) from the injured list Friday.

Susac has been on the shelf since late June due to a lower-back strain. He began playing in minor-league games July 9 and went 4-for-11 with a homer, four RBI, two runs scored and a steal over three Triple-A contests. Now with a clean bill of health and well rested following the All-Star break, he'll rejoin the big-league roster and figures to reclaim his role as the Giants' primary catcher. Eric Haase was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Ruiz will grab a seat on the bench Friday after going just 4-for-21 at the plate since the beginning of July. Harry Ford will fill in as Washington's catcher and bat sixth.

The Padres optioned Duran to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

With Freddy Fermin (head) now back from the injured list, the Padres will send Duran back down to the minors to avoid carrying three catchers on their active roster. The 28-year-old backstop has slashed just .146/.222/.305 across 91 plate appearances with the big club this season but would likely return to San Diego if the Friars' catcher depth is tested again later in the year.

The Padres reinstated Fermin (head) from the injured list Friday.

Fermin has been on the shelf since July 3 with a head bruise but began playing in rehab games July 8 and has since gone 3-for-12 with a walk and two RBI in three contests. Now fully healthy, he'll return to the active roster for the start of the second half but will remain on the bench Friday while Luis Campusano starts behind the plate. Rodolfo Duran was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Campusano (abdomen) will start at catcher and bat ninth Friday against the Royals.

Campusano was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of Sunday's first-half finale due to abdominal soreness, but he now appears to be feeling better after getting a chance to recover during the break. He's gone 6-for-18 with five walks, a homer and four runs scored since returning from a fractured toe July 4.

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith's neck continued to bother him as he attempted to ramp up his activity, so the Dodgers will fully shut him down for a week, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

The Dodgers still expect Smith to return at some point this season, and although there's still no clear idea of when exactly that might be, Roberts noted that the earliest possible date for the catcher's return likely will be in mid-August. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as Los Angeles' primary backstop in the meantime.

The Nationals recalled Ford from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Ford's promotion was reported earlier this week and is now official, as he'll absorb the roster spot vacated by the injured Drew Millas (finger). The 23-year-old has slashed a disappointing .223/.370/.335 with four homers, zero stolen bases and a 45:65 BB:K across 257 plate appearances at Rochester. Ford should operate primarily as the backup catcher behind Keibert Ruiz.

Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs and a walk in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.

It was the first multi-homer game of the season for Alvarez and the seventh of his career. The slugging backstop has fared well at the dish since returning from the injured list with a torn meniscus in early June, batting .280 with seven long balls, two doubles and 14 RBI over his last 100 at-bats (28 games). For the campaign (236 plate appearances), Alvarez is slashing .259/.325/.448 with 11 big flies, seven doubles and 24 RBI.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said recently that while he "certainly" expects Smith (neck) to play again this season, he has "no idea" when it will happen, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith has been sidelined for more than a month with a lingering neck issue. He has been hitting and throwing but seems unable to get over the hump with the injury, as there's no timeline for when he will be ready for a rehab assignment. The Dodgers will enter the second half with an 11.5-game lead in the National League West, so they can afford to take their time with Smith.

The Nationals will recall Ford from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Friday's series opener with the Athletics, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

After the Nationals placed Drew Millas on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a fractured left index finger, the team will need another catcher to complement Keibert Ruiz. Ford was acquired from the Mariners last winter and has slashed .223/.370/.335 with four homers, 22 RBI, 34 runs scored and a 45:65 BB:K across 257 plate appearances at Rochester. The 23-year-old was the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft.