MLB Player News

Stephenson went 1-for-2 with two walks, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Angels.

Stephenson, batting cleanup for the first time this season, went deep in the sixth inning off left-hander Tyler Anderson to give the Reds a 2-1 lead. It was his second home run of the season and snapped an 0-for-13 skid -- his previous hit was his first homer. It's unclear if Stephenson will continue to bat fourth. Jeimer Candelario (illness) had been the team's primary cleanup hitter -- against both lefties and righties -- but was recently dropped to seventh amid a slump. And the Reds hadn't faced a left-hander since he was demoted. Stephenson is off to a slow start, slashing .209/.300/.395 through 50 plate appearances.

D'Arnaud went 3-for-4 with three home runs and six RBI during Friday's 8-3 victory over the Rangers.

D'Arnaud hadn't registered a home run in his first 14 contests before going deep three times Friday -- the first time he's done so in one game since 2019. His offensive outburst propelled him from a .591 OPS to .819 through 52 plate appearances this season.

Grandal (foot) has started two games at catcher during his current rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis, MLB.com reports.

Grandal has been dealing with a foot injury since early March and began a rehab assignment April 16, serving as the designated hitter in one additional contest. He has one hit across eight at-bats, though the Pirates are likely more concerned with his recovery than his production.

Alvarez is getting an MRI on his left thumb after leaving Friday's game against the Dodgers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. "I'm pretty concerned. I'm not going to lie," manager Carlos Mendoza said.

Alvarez injured his thumb in the second inning as he planted his left hand into the ground, after stumbling on his turn at second base. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com notes that Alvarez's left thumb "has taken a beating lately," and it sounds like Mendoza is resigned to being without his starting backstop for a stretch given how much pain Alvarez was in. Omar Narvaez is the only other catcher currently on the Mets' 40-man roster, although Tomas Nido is batting .345 (10-for-29) with Triple-A Syracuse.

Alvarez was removed from Friday's game against the Dodgers due to a left thumb injury, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez stumbled while rounding first base during the top of the second inning and appeared to jam his left thumb while trying to regain his footing. He remained in the game to run the bases and eventually came around to score, but he was replaced behind the dish by Omar Narvaez once the Mets' defense took the field. The 22-year-old backstop will presumably undergo imaging, and the team should offer an update on his status in the near future.

Bailey isn't in the Giants' lineup for Friday's game against Arizona, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey will take a seat Friday after going 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored during Thursday's series opener. He'll be replaced at catcher by Tom Murphy, who will bat sixth.

Delay recently underwent surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Delay is expected to be ready to resume baseball activities in six weeks and it figures to be several weeks after that before he might be ready to return to the Pirates. Pittsburgh is currently using Henry Davis and Joey Bart as its catching duo, but Yasmani Grandal (foot) recently began a rehab assignment.

Gomes is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Marlins.

It's a routine day off for the veteran backstop. Miguel Amaya will do the catching for Jameson Taillon while Gomes takes a seat.

Moreno (thumb) will start at catcher and bat sixth in Thursday's game against the Giants.

Moreno hadn't started either of the Diamondbacks' previous two games due to a bruised right thumb, but he had been included in the initial lineup Wednesday before being scratched. He ended up appearing as a pinch hitter in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Cubs, and he now looks like he'll be ready to not only hit but also play defense in Thursday's series opener.

Bailey went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Marlins.

Bailey's steal was his first of 2024, matching his total from 97 contests in 2023. As a catcher, speed is often not high on the list of priorities. He's cooled off after posting three multi-hit efforts over his first five games this season, but Bailey is still batting .286 with a .765 OPS, one home run, four RBI, three runs scored and two doubles over 51 plate appearances.