MLB Player News

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and an additional run scored during Thursday's 10-5 loss to the Brewers. He struck out once.

Stephenson opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and eventually came around to score on a Colin Moran single. The slugger also rocked a solo shot off Brewers starter Adrian Houser in the fourth inning, but he was one of the few bright spots for the Reds during another brutal loss. It was Stephenson's fourth multi-hit game of the season and brings his season slash line to .263/.356/.500.

Stallings isn't starting Thursday against the Padres, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Stallings has gone 1-for-9 with two runs and a walk over his last three games, and he'll be out of the lineup for a second consecutive matchup. Payton Henry will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Cartaya went 3-for-6 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two runs for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday.

Cartaya's two-run homer in the third inning had an extra level of significance as it came off rehabbing major-league hurler Blake Snell (groin). Cartaya almost went deep again in the 10th, but he had to settle for a two-run, ground-rule double. The backstop's bat has been on fire of late, as he has gone 9-for-14 with four homers, eight runs and 11 RBI over his past three games. Cartaya started the campaign slowly, but he's lifted his batting average almost 100 points with the three-game surge and is now slashing .265/.390/.588 with six homers and 18 RBI on the season.

Jansen (oblique) will do some running and hit in the batting cage after traveling to Cleveland with the Blue Jays on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen took part in live batting practice early this week, and he'll ramp up his activity level and intensity now that he's traveling with the team. The 27-year-old is hopeful he'll be able to start a rehab assignment soon but said the next steps in his recovery will depend on how his body responds to his increased workload.

Rutschman (triceps) will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and is expected to be reinstated from the affiliate's 7-day injured list, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Even though he reported to spring training as the leading candidate to break camp as the Orioles' No. 1 catcher, Rutschman began the season on Norfolk's injured list since he doesn't yet have a spot on Baltimore's 40-man roster. Since returning to action in the lower levels of the minors following a five-week absence due to a right triceps strain, Rutschman has looked healthy and productive. Between stops at High-A Aberdeen and Bowie, Rutschman has gone 11-for-25 with five doubles and four walks. Rutschman's stay at Norfolk will likely last longer than his stints with Bowie and Aberdeen, but if he continues to rake at the plate, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft could get the call to the big leagues later in May or June.

McCann isn't starting Thursday against the Phillies.

McCann started in the last two games and went 3-for-7 with a strikeout. Tomas Nido will start behind the plate and bat ninth Thursday.

Mejia was activated off the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia has been out for just shy of two weeks after testing positive for coronavirus. Prior to his absence, he'd been splitting time behind the plate with Mike Zunino, starting six of the team's first 13 games, and he'd gotten off to a hot start, hitting .348 with a pair of homers. He should return to a similar role now that he's healthy, with Rene Pinto heading to Triple-A Durham to clear space on the roster.

Diaz will sit Thursday against the Nationals, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Diaz sits after starting three straight games. He's hit .250/.301/.412 through 20 games to start the year. Dom Nunez will get the nod behind the plate.

Plawecki will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Angels, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

A heavy slate of day games after night games has allowed Plawecki to claim more playing time of late, as he'll handle catching duties for the third time in five games while No. 1 backstop Christian Vazquez sits. Plawecki has done little to move the needle across his 26 plate appearances on the season, slashing .174/.200/.174 with an RBI and a run.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox and Angels are concluding their series with a day game, so Vazquez will receive a routine breather after he went 0-for-3 with a walk while serving as Boston's catcher in Wednesday's 10-5 loss. Kevin Plawecki will relieve Vazquez behind the dish Thursday.