MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's loss to Arizona.

A number of the Dodgers' regular starters sat out the contest, but Smith started at DH and slotted into the No. 3 spot in the order. He boomed a 465-foot solo homer in the fourth inning for Los Angeles' first run, and Trayce Thompson followed with his own long ball to tie the score. Smith is up to 22 homers and a career-high 85 RBI through 513 plate appearances this season. He trails Cal Raleigh by one homer for the lead in that category among big-league backstops.

Kirk, who is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rays, is dealing with left hip tightness, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It was a bit puzzling that Kirk was held out of the lineup Thursday for a second straight day, but the hip issue explains the his absence. Kirk is considered day-to-day and could be available off the bench if needed.

Moreno is in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Moreno has not appeared in a game since being brought back up earlier this month, but he will get a chance to play a full nine innings Thursday. He will line up behind the plate and hit eighth in Toronto's batting order.

Jansen is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Jansen has been handling the bulk of the catching duties of late, but he will be held out Thursday with the Blue Jays playing a day game following a night game. Gabriel Moreno will replace Jansen behind the plate.

Kirk is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Kirk did not appear in Wednesday's game, and he will open on the bench for a second straight day. No injury has been reported, so as things stands it appears he is just getting a couple days off amid a 4-for-23 stretch at the plate.

Nido went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-3 loss against the Cubs.

Nido homered off lefty starter Drew Smyly for the Mets' first hit of the game with one out in the third inning. The catcher has recorded an extra-base hit in four straight games and a home run in two straight. In addition, the 28-year-old has tallied six RBI over 21 at-bats in his last seven contests.

Heim went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Athletics.

Heim entered the contest with no homers over 30 games since Aug. 3, but he snapped that skid with a 427-foot, two-run shot in the fifth inning. The long ball was his 14th of the season, tied for fifth-most among AL catchers despite the lengthy drought. Heim also has 46 RBI and a .232/.309/.406 slash line on the campaign.

Adams went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo home run in Wednesday's loss against the Orioles.

With Keibert Ruiz (testicular contusion) sidelined, Adams earned the start Wednesday and made the most of it. He recorded two hits, including a solo home run, to put the Nationals on the board in the bottom of the third inning. The long ball was Adams' fourth on the season, and the two hits got his average up to the Mendoza line for the first time since June 26.

Wynns went 2-for-3 with three RBI in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Atlanta.

Wynns ripped an RBI single in the bottom of the second frame before later adding a two-run single with two outs in the sixth inning. The catcher has now gone 3-for-6 with three RBI in two games since returning from a head injury Monday. Wynns is locked into a timeshare with Joey Bart behind the plate.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Wednesday's win over Miami.

Bryce Harper got the Phillies on the board with a solo shot in the top of the sixth inning, and Realmuto went back-to-back to put the Phillies up 2-1. Realmuto later broke the game open with a three-run blast in the seventh inning. The multi-home run effort was the catcher's first of the season and brings his total to 18. He is within striking distance of a 20-20 season with 17 stolen bases, and he would be just the second catcher ever to accomplish the feat.