MLB Player News

Kirk (thumb) has been taking on-field batting practice and is expected to begin hitting off a high-velocity pitching machine in the coming days, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kirk has been sidelined since April 4 and is currently on the 60-day IL. He's probably still at least a week away from beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, so the backstop doesn't seem likely to be activated until mid-June, at the earliest. Brandon Valenzuela and Tyler Heineman have been handling catching duties for the Blue Jays while Kirk has been out of action.

O'Hoppe isn't in the Angels' starting lineup versus Tampa Bay on Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

O'Hoppe continues to have a rough season at the plate -- overall, he has a .545 OPS through 37 games, and he's gone 3-for-17 across his past six contests. Sebastian Rivero is getting a start behind the dish in O'Hoppe's stead Saturday.

Fermin isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Fermin is currently stuck in an 0-for-23 stretch at the plate, so the Padres will give him a day to collect himself Saturday while Rodolfo Duran starts at catcher, batting ninth.

Davis isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Minnesota.

After going just 5-for-47 at the plate since the start of May, Davis will sit for the third time in Pittsburgh's last four games. Endy Rodriguez will start behind the plate Saturday and bat seventh.

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres.

Ruiz has recorded multiple hits as well as an RBI and a run in both of his last two games, but the Nats will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's contest while Drew Millas starts at catcher, batting eighth.

Torrens isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins.

Torrens will take a seat after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout during Friday's series opener. Hayden Senger will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Ruiz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Padres.

The backstop took Lucas Giolito deep in the second inning as the Nationals grabbed an early lead the bullpen let slip away. Over 15 games in May, Ruiz is slashing .364/.368/.727 with four of his five homers on the season along with eight doubles, 10 runs and 16 RBI.

Dingler went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two strikeouts in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the White Sox.

Dingler went yard in the third inning off Erick Fedde, Dingler's third in his last eight games. Dingler looks set to have a career-best season from a power perspective in 2026. He already has 11 homers with 34 RBI and a .787 OPS in 52 games this season, compared to the 13 homers, 57 RBI and .725 OPS he posted across 126 regular-season games in 2025.

Moreno went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and one run scored in Friday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Mariners.

Moreno has been swinging the bat well lately, going 16-for-43 (.372) over his last 11 contests. He's added 10 RBI and three stolen bases in that span, providing some unexpected five-category coverage from the catcher position. On the year, Moreno is hitting .268 with a .745 OPS, three home runs, three steals, 19 RBI, 17 runs scored and eight doubles across 126 plate appearances.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Phillies.

Smith has three extra-base hits (two homers, one double) over his last three contests. The catcher is batting a modest .235 (16-for-68) in May, but he's hit three of his six homers on the year during the month. He's hitting .255 with a .732 OPS, 23 RBI, 21 runs scored, four doubles and no stolen bases over 181 plate appearances this season.