MLB Player News

Bernal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 8-6, extra-inning win over the Dodgers.

After a 1-for-5 debut Tuesday, Bernal delivered his first big-league homer in his second game. The 22-year-old got the start at designated hitter Wednesday, but he's expected to see a decent share of playing time at catcher over the remainder of the campaign, though the Cardinals also have Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages capable of playing behind the dish. Bernal hit .278 with an .831 OPS at Triple-A Memphis this year prior to his promotion.

Jensen went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs and a walk in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to Miami.

It was Jensen's first multi-homer game of the year and the second of his career. The catcher is picking up steam in the power department, going yard four times in his past six outings. Through 521 plate appearances, Jensen is slashing .226/.313/.426 with 21 homers, 26 doubles, 64 RBI and 63 runs scored this year.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Smith went 1-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored Tuesday during his first game back from the injured list, and he'll retreat to the bench Wednesday as the Dodgers look to ease him back into action. Hunter Feduccia will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Heineman is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Heineman will get a breather after going 2-for-6 with a double and two runs scored over the first two games of the series. Travis d'Arnaud will start behind home plate and bat ninth while forming a battery with southpaw Reid Detmers.

Ruiz passed concussion protocol following his removal from Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz was pulled from the game after taking a foul tip off his mask in the fourth inning. Although he managed to avoid suffering a concussion this time around, the 28-year-old backstop's history of concussions/head injuries could cause the Nationals to err on the side of caution and sit him down for another game or two. Harry Ford would benefit from extra playing time during any games Ruiz may have to miss.

Diaz is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Diaz will be on the bench for the second time in three days while Christian Vazquez starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Diaz has gone 11-for-37 (.297) with two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored over his last 12 appearances.

Dingler is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Eduardo Valencia is making the start behind the plate and batting fifth for Detroit. Over his last 22 games dating back to Aug. 7, Dingler is hitting .107 with a .307 OPS across 91 plate appearances. He has just two extra-base hits and no home runs during that span.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Brewers.

Kelly started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he will get a break during Wednesday's tilt. Miguel Amaya will be behind the dish and will bat ninth for the Cubs.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Tampa Bay.

Alvarez was behind the dish for the first two games of the series, but he'll take a seat in the finale. Luis Torrens is doing the catching and batting ninth in the rubber match.

Ruiz was lifted from Wednesday's game against Atlanta in the fourth inning after taking a foul tip to the mask, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Ruiz has a history of concussions, so this is a worrisome development. The Nationals should have more on his status after the game. Ruiz flew out in his lone plate appearance Wednesday before exiting. He was replaced by Harry Ford, who would stand to benefit if Ruiz needs to miss additional time.