MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Padres.

Six of Smith's 13 homers this year have come in his last 15 games. During that span, he's hitting .302 (19-for-63) while adding 12 RBI and seven runs. The catcher has maintained a large share of playing time by regularly serving as the designated hitter when he isn't behind the dish. He's up to a .260/.345/.472 slash line with 38 RBI, 31 runs scored and 10 doubles through 264 plate appearances this year.

Mejia went 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.

The Rays knocked Thomas Hatch around for 10 runs in the nightcap, and Mejia was right in the middle of it. Mejia had three home runs for the season coming into the game. He raised his OPS from .588 to .642 with this one performance and will continue operating as the Rays' No. 1 catcher while Mike Zunino (shoulder) is on the injured list.

Alvarez was informed Saturday that he is being promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The 20-year-old is expected to join the Mets' top minor-league affiliate Monday. Alvarez finishes his time with Double-A Binghamton with a .277/.368/.553 line, 18 homers and 47 RBI in 67 games -- beyond impressive for his age at that level. Alvarez is widely considered the Mets' top prospect and one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball. If he picks up where he left off, Alvarez could get a look in Queens before the end of the 2022 season.

Diaz isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Diaz will get a breather after he went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts over the last two games. Brian Serven is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

Trevino isn't starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland.

Trevino started behind the dish during Saturday's matinee and went 1-for-5 with a solo home run. Kyle Higashioka is taking over at catcher and batting ninth in the second game.

Vazquez isn't starting Saturday against the Cubs, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Vazquez is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak in which he's gone 8-for-18 with two doubles, four runs and two RBI. He'll get a breather while Kevin Plawecki starts behind the dish and bats eighth.

Thaiss was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Thaiss joined the major-league club Monday but appeared in just two games during his stint with the Angels. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and will head back to the minors after the team signed Jonathan Villar to a major-league contract Saturday.

D'Arnaud isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Reds.

D'Arnaud is getting a day off after he slashed .292/.346/.500 with a homer, two doubles, five runs, and two RBI over the last six games. William Contreras will start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Ruiz isn't starting Saturday against the Marlins.

Ruiz started in the last two games and went 3-for-8 with a homer, four RBI, two runs and a stolen base. He'll get a breather while Tres Barrera starts behind the dish and bats eighth.

Stassi isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Astros, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi started in the last two games and went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts. Kurt Suzuki is starting behind the dish and batting seventh Saturday.