MLB Player News

Ballesteros isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Ballesteros will take a day to regroup after going 0-for-11 at the plate across his last four games. Michael Conforto will step in as the Cubs' designated hitter and bat second.

Teel (hamstring) will run the bases this weekend before beginning a rehab assignment next week if all goes well, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Teel's recovery from a right hamstring strain has come along slowly, but he's poised for a big step forward this weekend. Given how much time the young catcher has missed, Teel figures to require at least a handful of rehab contests before rejoining the active roster for the White Sox. When he does make it back, he'll be in line for the lion's share of the playing time behind the dish.

The Angels selected Martinez's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

It's the first big-league promotion for Martinez, who has hit .212/.307/.424 with four home runs in 20 games this season with Salt Lake. Martinez and Sebastian Rivero will form the Angels' catching duo while Logan O'Hoppe (wrist) and Travis d'Arnaud (foot) are shelved.

The Angels placed d'Arnaud on the 10-day injured list Friday with right foot plantar fasciitis.

D'Arnaud had to leave Wednesday's game versus the White Sox with the injury, though it's unclear if it might have been bothering him previously. He joins Logan O'Hoppe (wrist) on the IL, leaving the Angels with Sebastian Rivero and Omar Martinez as their top two catchers.

The Mariners optioned Pereda to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Pereda was up as a third catcher while Cal Raleigh was banged up, picking up two hits in five plate appearances. With Raleigh available to catch again, Pereda is heading back to the minors.

Hicks went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 4-3 victory against the Orioles on Thursday.

Hicks accounted for the game's first two runs with a first-inning long ball. That was his fifth home run over his past 12 contests, a span in which he's also batting .314 (11-for-35) with 13 RBI. Hicks started at catcher Thursday, but his previous three starts came at either first base or DH. The Marlins seem committed to getting his bat in the lineup on a near-everyday basis given that he's been easily the team's most productive hitter. Hicks is slashing .319/.372/.584 with nine homers, 34 RBI (first in the majors), 20 runs, one stolen base and a 10:12 BB:K through 35 contests.

Langeliers went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in a 12-1 rout of the Phillies on Thursday.

Langeliers missed three games this week to be with his wife for the birth of the couple's child, but he didn't accumulate any rust during his absence. The talented backstop proved that quickly when he took Philadelphia pitcher Andrew Painter deep for a two-run homer in the first frame. Langeliers later added a single and has now posted six multi-hit performance over his past eight contests. He's been smoking hot over that stretch, batting .459 (17-for-37) with three homers, five doubles, six RBI and eight runs scored.

Bart went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 4-2 win over Arizona on Thursday.

Bart produced the final run of the game with a solo blast to left-center field in the sixth inning. That marked his first long ball and first RBI since he went deep against Washington on April 14. Bart has played behind Henry Davis for most of the campaign, but he may be making inroads toward more playing time. Bart has started behind the plate in three of Pittsburgh's past four contests and has gone 3-for-9 over that span.

Jeffers went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a walk and two additional runs scored in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Nationals.

Jeffers continues to be a bright spot offensively for the last-place Twins in 2026. The 28-year-old backstop totaled a season-high eight bases Thursday, turning in his third three-hit game of the year as well. Through 163 plate appearances, Jeffers is slashing a potent .302/.409/.531 with five home runs, five doubles, 22 RBI and 21 runs scored.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, four RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Twins.

The 27-year-old catcher enjoyed his most productive day at the dish this year, knocking the ball all over the yard. Ruiz recorded a season high in hits, runs and RBI on Thursday en route to totaling a season-most eight bases. Over 70 at-bats, he's still hitting just .214 with two homers, seven doubles, 13 RBI and seven runs scored as Washington's primary backstop.