MLB Player News
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Not in Sunday's lineup
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Smith started the previous three games and will receive a day off after going 2-for-4 with a double and a solo homer in Saturday's contest. Dalton Rushing will step in behind the plate to catch for righty Shohei Ohtani in Sunday's series finale.
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Hunter Goodman C | COL
Rockies' Hunter Goodman: Receiving breather Sunday
Goodman is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Goodman will sit Sunday after going 3-for-12 with two walks, a double and two RBI while starting in each of the previous three contests. Braxton Fulford will step in behind the plate and bat eighth in the series finale versus Arizona.
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Luis Torrens C | NYM
Mets' Luis Torrens: Stepping in as starter
Torrens is expected to take over as the Mets' No. 1 catcher after Francisco Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. He'll be behind the plate and bat sixth for Sunday's series finale in Philadelphia.
Torrens has served as New York's backup catcher since Alvarez was cleared for his season debut in late April, but the latter has been demoted due to his offensive struggles. Torrens has delivered a .232/.309/.344 slash line and strong defense, but he likely won't have much fantasy appeal outside of two-catcher formats.
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Francisco Alvarez C | NYM
Mets' Francisco Alvarez: Demoted to Triple-A
The Mets optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.
Alvarez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 11-4 win over Philadelphia, but the Mets will still send him to the minors because he's struggled to a .236/.319/.333 slash line and 27.5 percent strikeout rate through 35 contests this season. The 23-year-old started to revamp his swing mechanics over the winter, but his spring training was interrupted by a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, which sidelined him for the first month of the season. The Mets are likely sending Alvarez down to continue working on his swing, and he should return to the big club once he straightens out his plate approach. Hayden Senger was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move to serve as New York's backup catcher, while Luis Torrens is poised to take over the No. 1 job.
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Reese McGuire C | CHC
Cubs' Reese McGuire: Filling in for resting Carson Kelly
McGuire will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Mariners.
McGuire will crack the lineup for the second time in Chicago's last five contests while Carson Kelly gets a breather for the series finale. Since getting called up from Triple-A Iowa on May 25, McGuire has slugged three home runs and owns an .840 OPS over 11 games. Despite his success, McGuire is expected to head back to Triple-A once Miguel Amaya (oblique) is able to return from the injured list.
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Carson Kelly C | CHC
Cubs' Carson Kelly: Getting Sunday off
Kelly is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.
Kelly will take a seat after starting three of Chicago's last four contests. In his stead, Reese McGuire will start behind the plate and bat eighth. After a hot start to the season, Kelly is slumping this month, slashing just .171/.209/.220 in 11 June games.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Continues power surge Saturday
Smith went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Saturday's loss to the Nationals.
Smith had two of the Dodgers' four extra-base hits, stroking a double in the second inning and going yard in the sixth. The backstop has gone deep three times in his past five games after knocking just six homers over his first 57 contests. Smith began June with no hits in his first three games, but since then he's posted a 1.135 OPS with four home runs, 11 RBI and 13 runs across 13 matchups.
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Yohel Pozo C | STL
Cardinals' Yohel Pozo: Provides walk-off hit
Pozo went 1-for-1 with with a walk-off single in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Reds in 11 innings.
Pozo entered as a defensive replacement in the top of the 11th and came through with a walk-off bloop single to right field in the bottom half of the frame. The catcher, who is back in the majors for the first time since 2021, has served primarily in a backup role for the Cardinals but has made the most of his opportunities, slashing .308/.313/.446 with five extra-base hits and eight RBI over 25 games.