MLB Player News

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Ruiz will move to the bench after going 0-for-8 across the Nationals' last two games. Harry Ford will fill in at catcher and bat fifth.

Kelly isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Kelly will get a day off after beginning the series by going 1-for-3 with two strikeouts Friday. Miguel Amaya will handle catching duties and bat ninth.

Flores went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox.

The 25-year-old rookie took Jake Bennett deep for a solo shot in the second inning -- per Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com, that made Flores just the fifth Pirate in the last 21 seasons to homer in three straight plate appearances, after he went yard twice Thursday. He's banged out five hits in those two contests, doubling his big-league total on the season, and through 14 games for the Bucs dating back to June 10 he's slashing .294/.400/.676 with four homers and 10 RBI while bouncing between first base and catcher.

Sullivan went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored Friday against the Giants.

Sullivan doubled to lead off the fifth inning and came around to score, and he crossed the plate again in the ninth frame after reaching base on a single. He is the clear backup to Hunter Goodman at catcher, though Sullivan has started three of Colorado's last five games with Goodman slotting in at designated hitter.

Moreno went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 2-0 win over Atlanta.

Moreno knocked in what turned out to be the winning run with a first-inning groundout. He later doubled in the eighth inning to extend a hit streak to eight contests, during which he's 13-for-35 (.371) with six doubles, one triple and five RBI. His spot at third in order, behind Geraldo Perdomo (.466 OBP in last 13 games) and Corbin Carroll (.385 in last nine), gives Moreno plenty of RBI opportunities. The catcher has driven in 22 runs over 25 games since the All-Star break.

Rushing (elbow) participated in batting practice at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Rushing was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow in early August and has already been deemed very unlikely to catch again this season. Nonetheless, the Dodgers are hoping to get the 25-year-old back before the end of the campaign as a left-handed-hitting option off the bench. The UCL tear is considered minor, and Rushing is planning to forego surgery in favor of treating the injury with rest and rehab.

Smith (neck) took part in on-field batting practice Friday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

The BP session marks a significant milestone for Smith, who has been on the shelf for over two months due to a neck injury. The veteran backstop resumed baseball activities in late July and appears to be moving closer to kicking off a minor-league rehab assignment. If all goes well for Smith moving forward, he could rejoin the big-league club by the final week of August or first week of September.

Goodman is not in the lineup for Friday's game in San Francisco.

Goodman will receive a day of rest after starting each of the previous six contests. Brett Sullivan will do the catching for the Rockies in Friday's series opener.

Crooks is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

The Cubs have a righty on the mound in Clay Holmes, but the left-handed-hitting Crooks will begin the contest on the bench. Ivan Herrera will do the catching for the Cardinals, and Bryan Torres will slot in at designated hitter.

Stephenson went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 9-8 win over the White Sox.

Stephenson broke open a tie with a three-run homer in the fourth inning. It was his 11th home run of the season. He continued a strong second half and is now slashing .302/.397/.635 with five home runs, 10 doubles, 14 RBI and 12 runs scored over 19 games since the All-Star break.