MLB Player News

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.

Smith went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's loss to St. Louis.

Smith returned Tuesday from a nearly three-month stay on the injured due to a neck injury. The All-Star catcher started behind the plate and batted fifth in the Dodgers' order. Smith flied out in each of his first three plate appearances before roping a two-run double to left field in the seventh inning. He'll have about four weeks to shake any rust ahead of the postseason and should return to a regular role as Los Angeles' top backstop, with Hunter Feduccia serving as his primary backup.

Raleigh is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Boston.

Raleigh had started the last 11 contests for the Mariners and went deep seven times during that span, but he'll receive a breather during Wednesday's matinee. Jhonny Pereda will be behind the dish for the Mariners in the rubber match.

Rutschman (elbow) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Mariners.

Rutschman has missed three straight starts and has been in the lineup just three times over Boston's last nine contests as he battles a hyperextended right elbow. It's an injury he might have to deal with for the remainder of the season, though there's been no indication to this point that the Red Sox are mulling a stint on the injured list. Connor Wong will get the nod behind the plate again Wednesday.

The Pirates signed Herrera to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Herrera will supplement the Pirates' organizational catching depth in the final month. He had been at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization, where he put up a .665 OPS in 40 contests.

Salas will start at catcher and bat sixth in his major-league debut Wednesday in Cincinnati.

Salas was among the Padres' September call-ups Tuesday and is set for his first start in the big leagues during Wednesday's series finale. The 20-year-old catcher has slashed .296/.374/.448 with 10 home runs, 17 stolen bases and a 47:58 BB:K over 96 games between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso this season. Salas is likely to see the bulk of the starts at catcher down the stretch for the Padres.

Wells went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Angels.

Wells has gone 4-for-12 with seven RBI over his last four contests. The steal is more of a rarity -- he has three thefts this year, and this one was his first since Aug. 8. The catcher is batting just .184 with a .588 OPS, 10 home runs, 26 RBI, 29 runs scored and seven doubles across 328 plate appearances.

Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a triple in Tuesday's 15-2 rout of the Tigers.

Jeffers recorded his second triple of the season in his first plate appearance before taking Kyle Finnegan deep for a three-run homer in the sixth, his second trip to the plate during Minnesota's 10-run frame. He's now homered three times over his last two games after going 24 consecutive contests without leaving the yard. Jeffers is enjoying a strong season, slashing .278/.381/.510 with 13 homers, 16 doubles, two triples, 49 RBI, 46 runs and one steal across 75 games.