MLB Player News

Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run, an additional RBI and a walk in a 6-1 win against the Athletics on Wednesday.

Jeffers entered play Wednesday with no homers over his previous 13 games and just one long ball across his past 23 contests. He busted out of the power drought with a solo shot to center field in the first inning and added a run-scoring single in the ninth. This was also the first multi-hit performance for Jeffers since May 17, a span of 14 games.

Rutschman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Mariners.

Rutschman clubbed his sixth home run of the campaign, tagging Emerson Hancock for a game-tying solo shot in the sixth frame. The catcher has gone 4-for-9 in his two appearances in June, which could provide a spark for Rutschman after he stumbled out of the gates this season. Through 222 plate appearances, Rutschman is slashing .214/.306/.352.

Realmuto was removed from Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays with a groin injury, Jordan Horrobin of MLB.com reports.

A foul tip hit Realmuto below the belt during the ninth inning of Wednesday's contest, forcing him to leave the game early alongside an athletic trainer. His status for the Phillies' next few games remains unknown, though any missed time for the 34-year-old would result in Rafael Marchan picking up reps behind the dish.

Alvarez isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Alvarez will grab a seat on the bench Wednesday after going 2-for-7 with an RBI across the first two games of the series. Luis Torrens will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Smith is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Mets on Wednesday.

Smith will not start for the second time in three games while Dalton Rushing serves behind home plate and bats eighth. Smith has gone 0-for-9 with one RBI over his last three games after going 8-for-17 with one home run and three RBI across the four prior contests.

Kelly is starting at catcher and batting third in Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Kelly had been batting cleanup recently but will now move up to the No. 3 spot for the first time all season. The veteran has had a fantastic start to the year with a .927 OPS and nine home runs through 37 games. While Miguel Amaya is still in the mix behind the plate, Kelly has emerged as the team's top option due to his strong offensive production.

Senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Bart has returned to full baseball activities but remains in the concussion protocol, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bart is progressing in his recovery from a concussion, but he'll need to clear the league's protocol before returning. He was placed on the 7-day injured list May 28 after being struck in the head by a backswing. Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez will continue to work behind home plate for the Pirates while Bart is sidelined.

Jansen is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Jansen will be getting a routine day off after starting the first game of the series Tuesday. Matt Thaiss will fill in behind the plate and bat seventh.

Sanchez (wrist) was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Sanchez has been sidelined since late April due to a right wrist inflammation but has been cleared to play in games. He could rejoin the Orioles' active roster as soon as this weekend, depending on how many rehab games he needs to get back up to speed.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Though he's on the bench Wednesday, Higashioka seems to have at least moved into a timeshare with Jonah Heim behind the dish. Over the last six games, Higashioka started five times (four at catcher, one at designated hitter), while Heim was included in the lineup three times during that stretch. Heim (.659 OPS) has still been more productive at the plate than Higashioka (.599 OPS), so the latter will likely need to string together some more quality offensive performances before emerging as the clear No. 1 option.