MLB Player News

Stephenson went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and three strikeouts in Friday's 13-6 loss to the Cubs.

Stephenson helped build the Reds' lead in the fifth inning when he doubled in a run and eventually scored. It was his second consecutive game with an extra-base hit, a positive sign for Stephenson, who is batting .186 this season. When he makes contact, it's been positive for the catcher/DH, who has a 54.8 hard-hit percentage, but that's been offset by a 41.2 percent strikeout rate (28 Ks in 68 PAs).

Moreno entered Friday's game as a pinch hitter and hit a two-run home run in a 4-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Moreno batted for catcher Jose Herrera in the ninth inning and pulled the Diamondbacks closer. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo decided to pair starter Zac Gallen with Herrera, after the pitcher was rocked in his previous outing. Gallen has a better ERA this season with Herrera (3.56) than Moreno (6.89). The pitcher has a career 3.27 ERA over 34 games when paired with Herrera. The Gallen/Herrera arrangement could be how Lovullo operates going forward, so fantasy managers that roster Moreno should be cognizant of that.

MItchell is experiencing lingering soreness in his broken right hamate bone and hasn't played in a game since May 13, MLB.com reports.

Mitchell fractured the hamate bone in his right wrist in February and began to play in extended spring training and then a minor-league rehab assignment in late April. It sounds like this could be a significant setback.

Narvaez isn't in the lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against Baltimore.

Narvaez will get the night off after going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored during a 19-5 win in Game 1. Connor Wong will fill in behind the plate and bat eighth.

Perez was scratched from the lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Twins due to an illness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Perez will step out of the lineup Friday while he fights off his illness, which will put Freddy Fermin behind the dish and seventh in the Royals' batting order.

The Athletics optioned Pereda to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The Athletics are swapping out Pereda for Willie MacIver as the backup to Shea Langeliers. Pereda received 42 plate appearances this season and slashed .167/.286/.194 with one extra-base hit, two RBI, two runs scored and a 6:13 BB:K. MacIver brings a little more thump with the bat.

The Athletics selected MacIver from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The Athletics are swapping out Jhonny Pereda for MacIver as the backup catcher. MacIver has hit the ball well at Triple-A this season, slashing .389/.469/.548 with two home runs, 30 RBI, 27 runs scored and two stolen bases across 147 plate appearances. The 28-year-old MacIver could make his MLB debut sometime this weekend against the Phillies.

Baldwin is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Baldwin has received the lion's share of starts at catcher against right-handed pitching lately, but he will begin Friday's festivities on the bench as the Padres send righty Nick Pivetta to the hill. Sean Murphy is catching and batting sixth for Atlanta.

Moreno isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Moreno will yield to Jose Herrera behind the plate Friday, getting the night off after making three straight starts. Moreno is riding a five-game hit streak, going 8-for-19 (.421) with a pair of homers during that stretch.

O'Hoppe went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run in a 10-5 win against the Athletics on Thursday.

O'Hoppe gave the Angels a two-run lead with his 410-foot shot in the seventh inning. It was the backstop's third straight game with a long ball, and he's gone deep four times in total during that span while racking up six RBI. With the power surge, O'Hoppe is now tied for sixth in the majors with 14 home runs, and the only catcher to have more homers is Cal Raleigh (16).