MLB Player News

Valenzuela went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional RBI during Toronto's 6-4 win over Baltimore on Sunday.

Valenzuela contributed to the Blue Jays' five-run sixth inning with an RBI groundout before giving his team an insurance run in the eighth with a solo homer. The rookie catcher has been scorching at the plate recently, having smacked three homers over his last four outings, and his eight long balls are second-most on the Blue Jays behind Kazuma Okamoto (13). Valenzuela is up to an .822 OPS with 16 RBI and 12 extra-base hits over 135 plate appearances this season. It remains to be seen whether he'll remain on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster once Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is cleared to return from the 60-day injured list.

Sanchez went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 12-4 victory against Colorado.

Sanchez homered for the first time since April 14, ending a lengthy power drought with a two-run shot in a seven-run sixth inning that broke the game open. The veteran catcher has been a mixed fantasy asset in 2026 with a dragging .206 average, but a .357 OBP alongside six homers and a .441 slugging percentage in 21 games demonstrates the production is still there when he gets going. Sunday is the kind of performance that serves as a reminder of his upside, and with the Brewers heading to face the Athletics next, he faces a soft matchup that could help him build on the momentum.

Marchan went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 9-4 win over the White Sox.

Marchan crushed a rare homer Sunday, his second of the season and the ninth of his career. The switch-hitting backstop's playing time as Philadelphia's backup catcher has been scarce in 2026, and he's slashing a pitiful .103/.141/.191 with six RBI, one walk and four runs scored across 71 plate appearances.

O'Hoppe is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

O'Hoppe will get a rest while Sebastian Rivero starts behind home plate and bats ninth. O'Hoppe has gone 1-for-14 with one RBI and five strikeouts since June 1.

Smith (neck) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to a neck issue, which will also keep him out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Dalton Rushing will start behind home plate and bat sixth. The Dodgers have an off day Monday, so Smith could be back in action for Tuesday's series opener against the Pirates.

Perez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Twins due to a right thumb injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Perez sustained the injury on a wild pitch that hit him in the thumb Friday. He'll end up sitting for the last two games of the series against Minnesota, but with an offday Monday, the veteran backstop could be back in action for Tuesday's series opener against Texas. Carter Jensen will start at catcher Sunday.

Caratini is not in Minnesota's starting lineup against Kansas City on Sunday.

Caratini will get a breather after going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Royals. Alex Jackson will handle catching duties and bat ninth in Sunday's series finale.

Perez is not in Kansas City's starting lineup against Minnesota on Sunday.

Perez will be on the bench for a second consecutive game. Carter Jensen will handle catching duties while Starling Marte serves as the Royals' designated hitter for Sunday's series finale.

Higashioka is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Guardians on Sunday.

Higashioka will get a breather after starting the last four games. Elias Diaz will get the nod at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's series finale.

Basallo (abdomen) is starting behind home plate and batting fifth against the Blue Jays on Sunday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Basallo was out of Saturday's lineup due to abdominal discomfort but entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter. He's been cleared to serve as the Orioles' catcher for Sunday's series finale while Adley Rutschman operates as the designated hitter.