MLB Player News

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Alvarez went deep four times over 24 games in June, and he already has three homers across four contests in July. His blast Wednesday came in the ninth inning to tie the game at 1-1. The catcher is up to 15 homers, 30 RBI, 27 runs scored and a .221/.276/.487 slash line through 62 contests. His playing time should stay steady as long as his bat is warm.

Murphy went 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Guardians.

The backstop led a 19-hit barrage by Atlanta that saw seven of the team's nine starters record multiple hits, with Murphy's biggest blow being a solo shot off Cal Quantrill in the third inning. The homer was Murphy's third in his last six games and 15th of the season, while the surge has pushed his slash line on the season back up to .305/.397/.580 with 40 runs and 50 RBI in 65 contests.

Langeliers went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and an additional run scored in Wednesday's win over the Tigers.

Langeliers extended Oakland's lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning with a solo shot off Eduardo Rodriguez. The 25-year-old Langeliers is now 6-for-17 (.353) over his last five games following an 0-for-9 stretch. The Oakland backstop is now slashing .208/.269/.369 with 10 homers, 33 RBI and 29 runs scored through 284 plate appearances this season.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with two homers, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Diaz launched a solo shot in the bottom of the second to put the Astros on the board. The catcher wasn't done, however, taking Chase Anderson deep for a second time in the fourth to make it a 3-0 ballgame. Diaz now has three home runs over his last three games to go along with four RBI and two runs scored. He's also hit safely in five of his last seven contests.

Knizner has no structural damage in his groin, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.

Knizner was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday after taking a foul ball to the groin in the fourth inning of Tuesday's blowout loss to the Marlins, but it sounds like he'll be able to return to the Cardinals' active roster shortly after the All-Star break. Ivan Herrera will serve as the backup to Willson Contreras in the meantime.

Moreno is out of the lineup again Wednesday versus the Mets.

Carson Kelly will get a third straight nod at catcher despite holding a .189/.225/.297 batting line on the year. Moreno hasn't been great either, though he did rattle off three hits in his last start Saturday against the Angels.

Gomes is not in the lineup Wednesday at Milwaukee.

Tucker Barnhart will start behind the plate and bat ninth with Miguel Amaya joining Gomes on the bench. Mike Tauchman is serving as the Cubs' designated hitter.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Fortes is getting a breather Wednesday after he went 2-for-7 with two RBI and a run scored while starting behind the plate Monday and Tuesday. Jacob Stallings will handle catching duties in Fortes' stead.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Vazquez will get a breather in the series finale after starting behind the plate Monday and Tuesday while going 1-for-8 with a run scored. Ryan Jeffers will form a battery with starting pitcher Pablo Lopez on Wednesday.

Bemboom was designated for assignment Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Bemboom stuck around briefly as a third catcher following James McCann's return, but the Orioles have now decided they have a better use for the roster spot. Because he was already outrighted earlier this season, Bemboom can elect free agency if he wants, assuming he clears waivers again.