MLB Player News

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBI on Thursday against the Rockies.

Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, but his start behind the plate Thursday was his season debut. He immediately made a strong impression, doubling in his first at-bat before driving in two with a single one frame later. Rodriguez is likely to remain behind Henry Davis on the depth chart for the time being, but Rodriguez could force his way into the lineup if he continues to deliver at the dish.

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Martinez will head to Salt Lake after spending nearly a week with the major-league roster, going 1-for-3 with a strikeout in his brief stint with the Angels. The team is expected to activate Logan O'Hoppe (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Friday, and he'll replace Martinez with the big-league club.

Dingler went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 9-4 loss to the Mets.

Dingler extended his hitting streak to four games, and he's batting .313 with two home runs during the stretch. Overall, the Detroit catcher is now up to eight long balls for the season, which puts him on pace to fly past last year's career-high total of 13 homers in 126 regular-season games. Dingler can be a bit streaky at the plate, but he's locked into a starting role and is producing in the power department for fantasy managers.

Rodriguez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rodriguez will begin Thursday's game on the bench after going 0-for-7 with a walk and an RBI over two of the first three games of the series. Eric Haase will work as San Francisco's starting catcher and bat ninth.

Duno has homered in three consecutive games for High-A Dayton and is currently riding an eight-game hit steak.

After a slow start to the season -- Duno batted .203 over the first 20 contests -- the catching prosepct has put on a show in the Midwest League. Since April 30, he's gone 16-for-40 (.400) with seven extra-base hits (four home runs) and nine RBI over 10 games. In addition to the bat coming around recently, Duno has showed off strong plate discipline and swing decisions for the Dragons all season with a .412 OBP, 18.7 BB% and 25:28 BB:K.

Smith is leading off as the designated hitter Thursday versus the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

This is the first time in Smith's MLB career that he is hitting leadoff. He is taking over Shohei Ohtani's position and spot in the lineup Thursday while Dalton Rushing starts behind the plate. Smith has an underwhelming .229/.317/.371 slash line with two doubles and a homer through 10 games in May.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Atlanta.

Kelly started at catcher in four of the previous five games, so he'll get a breather in Thursday's series finale. Miguel Amaya is doing the catching and batting eighth for the Cubs.

Susac (elbow) is nearing a return and may be reinstated from the injured list as soon as Friday's game against the Athletics, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Susac was placed on the 10-day injured list April 21 and began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on May 7, slashing .529/.619/.882 with five RBI, five runs scored, two home runs and a stolen base in 21 plate appearances over five outings with the River Cats. The 25-year-old catcher could rejoin the parent club during its three-game trip to Sacramento before the Giants head to Arizona. Susac is expected to serve as San Francisco's primary option behind the plate with Patrick Bailey now in Cleveland, though Jesus Rodriguez is still likely to factor into the mix.

Pages is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Athletics.

Ivan Herrera has been Michael McGreevy's personal catcher this season, and they will form Thursday's battery. Pages has had a rough start to May offensively, going 2-for-26 with a 1:9 BB:K.

Seattle recalled Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Pereda is back with the big-league club after being optioned to Tacoma on Friday. The 30-year-old's quick return is due to Cal Raleigh's (oblique) placement on the IL. Although Pereda recorded just five plate appearances in his first Mariners stint, but he should be in line for more action this time around as he splits time behind the plate with Mitch Garver while Raleigh is sidelined.