MLB Player News

Higashioka is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt in Kansas City.

Higashioka started the first two games of the series at catcher, so he'll get a break during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Elias Diaz will be behind the dish and bat eighth for the Rangers.

Perez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Perez was in the lineup the last two days after missing the previous two contests with a thumb injury. He will take a seat for Thursday's afternoon tilt in what looks to be a routine day off. Carter Jensen is catching and Jac Caglianone is getting a day at designated hitter for the Royals.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

Getting the start at DH in his second game since being activated from the injured list, Alvarez supplied all the Mets' offense with a two-run shot off Andre Pallante in the fourth inning, his first long ball since April 11. Alvarez has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games sandwiched around his nearly month-long stay on the IL due to knee surgery, slashing .306/.342/.472 over that stretch.

Diaz went 1-for-1 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Royals.

Diaz entered the game in the eighth inning after starter Kyle Higashioka was removed for a pinch runner and played a vital role in the win. He went the other way on a 3-2 pitch low and away in the zone to drive in the game-winning run before scoring the insurance run. He also threw out a would-be base stealer in the eighth. Diaz was recently signed by the Rangers when the club placed Danny Jansen (forearm) on the 10-day injured list. He's appeared in two games since joining the organization while serving as the backup to Higashioka.

O'Hoppe went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Astros.

O'Hoppe was the only player from either team to log a multi-hit effort in the game. That included his fifth-inning blast, which briefly put the Angels ahead 2-0. The catcher is batting .255 with two homers and eight RBI over his last 15 contests. For the season, he's hitting just .212 with a .606 OPS, three long balls, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and five doubles over 155 plate appearances.

Sanchez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Athletics.

Sanchez collected his second multi-hit effort in a row. It's also his second straight game with a homer after he went 27 contests between long balls, during which he had a .576 OPS. The backup catcher is batting .219 with an .845 OPS, seven homers, 19 RBI, 20 runs scored, four doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 130 plate appearances this season. While his power looks to be coming back, Sanchez is no real threat to William Contreras' playing time.

The Dodgers will select Robinson's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Robinson will return to the majors as the roster replacement for Will Smith (neck), who is set to move to the injured list. Robinson has slashed .274/.338/.466 across 80 plate appearances while spending the entire season at Triple-A, though he isn't likely to receive many reps in the big leagues while Dalton Rushing works as the primary catcher.

The Dodgers will place Smith (neck) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

After sitting him down for four straight games because of neck soreness, the Dodgers have officially decided to send Smith to the injured list. Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that the 31-year-old backstop is progressing but has missed too much time to return without a ramp-up period. He'll be eligible to return to the Dodgers' lineup June 19; meanwhile, Dalton Rushing will take over as Los Angeles' primary catcher, and Chuckie Robinson will come up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to provide depth.

Rodriguez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to left hip discomfort.

Rodriguez went 0-for-3 before his hip forced him to make an early exit in the eighth inning. The severity of his injury is still unclear, but with Joey Bart (foot) and Henry Davis (paternity) both out, Rafael Flores could be in line to start a game or two behind the plate for the Pirates.

Kelly isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Kelly will miss out on the starting nine for a second consecutive game despite going 4-for-13 with an RBI and a run over his last four contests. Moises Ballesteros will handle catching duties Wednesday while Michael Conforto works as Chicago's designated hitter.