MLB Player News

Amaya went 2-for-4 with a walk, three RBI and three runs scored in Wednesday's 23-3 win over the Padres.

Amaya was a bit overshadowed by Chicago's eight home runs on the day, but he still managed a strong performance of his own. The 27-year-old catcher isn't seeing a ton of playing time behind Carson Kelly and batted just .226 across 13 games in June.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Smith (neck) is expected to remain out until after the All-Star break, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smith has yet to resume baseball activities since landing on the injured list June 11 with neck inflammation. Between his slow progress and the time it will take for him to build up once he's cleared to begin a rehab program, there simply isn't enough time left for him to return before the All-Star break begins July 13. A more definitive timeline may emerge once Smith is cleared to resume activity.

Rushing is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the Athletics.

Despite recording three hits and two RBI in his first two starts of the series against the A's, Rushing will ride the bench Wednesday. Chuckie Robinson will take over behind the plate and bat ninth for the Dodgers.

Mack is out of the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the Rockies.

Mack will sit out of Wednesday's game with Colorado trotting out left-hander Kyle Freeland. Brian Navarreto will take over behind the plate and bat eighth for Miami.

Rodriguez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Phillies.

Rodriguez started the first two games of the series (one at catcher, one at first base) but will get a breather in Thursday's tilt. Henry Davis will be behind the dish and bat ninth for the Pirates.

Kelly is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Kelly will rest for the day game after he caught all nine innings of the Cubs' 9-7 win Tuesday night. Miguel Amaya will handle catching duties in Wednesday's contest.

Fermin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Fermin will rest for Wednesday's matinee game after he started at catcher in the first two contests of the series. Rodolfo Duran will step in behind the dish Wednesday and will bat eighth.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The Nationals will give Ruiz a rest for the matinee contest after he started behind the plate in each of the last three games. Drew Millas will receive the nod at catcher and form a battery with starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Blue Jays.

Alvarez launched what proved to be the game-winning homer in the top of the fifth inning. In 19 games since returning from the injured list June 9, the 24-year-old is hitting .265 with five homers, nine RBI and seven runs scored. On the year, he's slashing .250/.313/.439 with nine long balls, 19 RBI and 19 runs scored across just 200 plate appearances.

Ruiz went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 8-1 win over the Red Sox.

Ruiz laced what proved to be a game-winning RBI single in the seventh inning before adding a two-run double in the ninth. The catcher has now hit safely in 10 of his past 12 games, tallying a home run, six RBI, eight runs scored and a stolen base over that span. For the year, he's slashing .285/.316/.475 with six homers, 33 RBI, 26 runs scored and two steals across 190 plate appearances.