MLB Player News

Alvarez is starting at catcher and batting ninth Tuesday against the Nationals.

Alvarez connected for his first major-league homer of the season in Sunday's series finale against the Giants and will be rewarded with a second straight start behind the dish as the Mets open a three-game set versus Washington. Tomas Nido is sitting.

McCann is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.

McCann is back on the bench after he had been included in the lineup each of the past three days, making two starts at catcher and one as a designated hitter. The Orioles' lack of an everyday DH means that manager Brandon Hyde will likely continue to rotate several players at that spot, including No. 1 catcher Adley Rutschman. As such, McCann could continue to play more than most No. 2 catchers around the league, though he's still unlikely to see enough playing time to warrant attention outside of AL-only leagues.

Realmuto is batting fifth Tuesday night against the Mariners.

Realmuto has been slumping a bit lately and got pushed down to the sixth spot in the Phillies' lineup for a stretch, but he'll jump into the No. 5 slot Tuesday versus the Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert. Brandon Marsh is batting eighth in this one.

Wong is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

With Reese McGuire (hand) cleared to start Tuesday, Wong will get a breather after starting behind the plate each of the past three days. Wong still looks like Boston's nominal No. 1 catcher, though his pedestrian .549 OPS could soon cost him playing time since McGuire (.850 OPS) has soundly outperformed him at the dish.

Smith (concussion) went through agility drills Tuesday in Pittsburgh, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already stated that Smith won't be activated during the team's three-game series against the Pirates that runs through Thursday, but it's a good sign the 28-year-old catcher is traveling with the team and now doing baseball activities. He could perhaps return from the 7-day injured list over the weekend.

McGuire (hand) will start at catcher and bat ninth in Tuesday's game in Baltimore, Tyler Milliken of 98.5 The Sports Hub Boston reports.

McGuire was out of commission for a couple days after taking a foul tip off the hand, but he's fine. He'll catch starting pitcher Corey Kluber on Tuesday while No. 1 backstop Connor Wong gets a breather.

Delay is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.

Delay had a brief run as the Pirates' No. 1 catcher earlier this month while Austin Hedges was on the 7-day concussion injured list, but Delay has faded back into a reserve role since Hedges was activated about a week and a half ago. Hedges has now picked up seven of the last nine starts at catcher for Pittsburgh.

Bethancourt went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored Monday against the Astros.

Bethancourt started the season in an even split behind the plate with Francisco Mejia, but the former has now started six of the last eight games behind the plate. He's earned that extra run, as he's in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, during which he's hit .400 with three homers, eight RBI and seven runs scored. Overall, Bethancourt has maintained a 170 wRC+ and a .409 wOBA across 54 plate appearances on the campaign.

Bart left Monday's game against the Cardinals due to right groin tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bart was lifted from the contest in the seventh inning of Monday's clash, and he'll likely be re-evaluated Tuesday morning to determine his availability for the second game of the series. If he's unable to go, look for Blake Sabol to take over behind the dish.

Bart left Monday's game against the Cardinals after suffering an apparent leg injury, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bart exited the matchup after doubling in the bottom of the seventh inning when one of his legs appeared to lock up on him, per Pavlovic. He'll be considered day-to-day until the team has more information on the injury.