MLB Player News
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Keibert Ruiz C | WAS
Nationals' Keibert Ruiz: Sitting for series opener
Ruiz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.
Ruiz remains the Nationals' No. 1 backstop, but he's been sitting against left-handed starting pitchers more frequently of late while manager Dave Martinez looks to keep backup catcher Riley Adams involved. Adams will be behind the plate Monday as the Nationals face off against southpaw Carson Palmquist, but Ruiz will likely re-enter the lineup Tuesday versus righty Antonio Senzatela.
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Nick Fortes C | TB
Marlins' Nick Fortes: Bangs out three hits Sunday
Fortes went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Nationals.
The 28-year-old catcher has a five-game hit streak going, during which he's gone 9-for-17 (.529) with a double, a homer, four runs and four RBI. Fortes has become primarily a short-side platoon player as the Marlins also try to find playing time for Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks behind the plate, but the role may be agreeing with him.
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Braxton Fulford C | COL
Rockies' Braxton Fulford: Knocks in five
Fulford went 2-for-2 with a walk, a triple, five RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 10-1 win over Atlanta.
Fulford has served as the Rockies' backup catcher since June 6, when he was promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque following the release of Jacob Stallings was released. The rookie has started only three of nine games since his promotion, but he made a strong case for earning more work after his big performance Sunday. Even so, Hunter Goodman is still likely to dominant the playing time behind the dish moving forward.
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Miguel Amaya C | CHC
Cubs' Miguel Amaya: Starts up throwing program
Amaya (oblique) was cleared to begin a throwing program Friday, MLB.com reports.
Amaya looks to be in the process of ramping up again after a left oblique strain had kept him from throwing since May 24. The Cubs anticipate that Amaya will be able to return from the injured list prior to the All-Star break, though an exact target date may not come into focus until he heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment.
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Elias Diaz C | SD
Padres' Elias Diaz: Adds homer in win
Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Sunday's 8-2 win over the Diamondbacks.
Diaz had gone 0-for-8 with three walks and five strikeouts over his previous four games. The catcher was able to do some damage Sunday, stretching the Padres' lead to 7-2 with a ninth-inning homer, his first long ball since May 4 versus the Pirates. Diaz is now at a .219/.292/.336 slash line with four homers, five doubles, 10 RBI, 20 runs scored and no stolen bases over 162 plate appearances. He has been in a fairly even timeshare with Martin Maldonado since the start of June, as neither backstop is doing much consistently with the bat, though Maldonado has the slight edge in playing time over the last week.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Receiving break Sunday
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Smith started the previous three games and will get a breather after going 3-for-11 with two walks, two RBI and three runs. Rookie Daulton Rushing will fill in at catcher and bat eighth Sunday.
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Andrew Knizner C | SF
Giants' Andrew Knizner: Resting Sunday
Knizner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
Logan Porter will fill in behind the plate while Knizner takes a seat after starting in five of the Giants' previous six games. Knizner is likely to continue seeing the bulk of the work at catcher while top backstop Patrick Bailey (neck) is on the injured list.
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Martin Maldonado C | SD
Padres' Martin Maldonado: Idle Sunday
Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Maldonado will take a seat for the series finale after he had started behind the plate in three of the Friars' previous four games, including Saturday's 8-7 loss. Elias Diaz will form a battery with starting pitcher Nick Pivetta on Sunday.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Receiving breather Sunday
Moreno is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Moreno went 1-for-8 with a run scored while starting the first two games of the series versus San Diego, and he'll head to the bench for Sunday's finale. Jose Herrera will take over behind the plate and bat ninth against righty Nick Pivetta.
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Henry Davis C | PIT
Pirates' Henry Davis: Getting breather Sunday
Davis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Davis will get a rest after going 1-for-6 with a double, a walk and a run over the prior two games. Brett Sullivan will handle catching duties.