MLB Player News

Ford went 2-for-5 with a walk, a home run, three runs scored and three RBI in Friday's rout of the A's.

In his ninth career MLB game and his Nationals debut, Ford took Justin Sterner deep for a two-run homer in the fifth inning, giving the 23-year-old backstop his first career long ball. Ford wasn't exactly lighting it up at Triple-A Rochester prior to his promotion, managing a .705 OPS and four home runs in 58 games, and he could be limited to a short-side platoon role while working behind Keibert Ruiz.

Langeliers went 1-for-4 with a home run and three strikeouts in Friday's loss to the Nationals.

Langeliers went yard in the final game before the All-Star break and picked it up right where he left off, slugging his 22nd homer of the season with a blast to left field in the bottom of the ninth. Langeliers ranks second among all MLB catchers in homers and looks on pace to surpass the career-high mark of 31 long balls he established last season.

Jensen went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a walk during the Royals' 7-6 extra-inning win over the Padres on Friday.

Jensen made his biggest contribution in the 10th with a game-winning two-run single that plated Michael Massey and Nick Loftin. After going hitless and recording a combined eight strikeouts in his previous four games before the midseason break, the rookie broke out of his short slump in a big way. On the season, the 23-year-old has slashed .242/.310/.430 with 13 homers and 51 RBI in 352 plate appearances.

Valenzuela went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Friday's 12-4 loss to the White Sox.

Valenzuela cut the Blue Jays' deficit to 8-4 with a solo home run in the sixth, his eighth long ball of the season. George Springer started in left field Friday, so Valenzuela could see an uptick in plate appearances in the second half of the regular season if he sees more time as the designated hitter or as the catcher in games in which Alejandro Kirk serves as the DH.

Baldwin went 3-for-5 with a home run, five RBI and an additional run scored during Atlanta's 15-1 win over Texas on Friday.

Baldwin smacked RBI singles in the second and fifth innings but made his biggest impact of the game in the fourth, when he belted a three-run homer off Cal Quantrill. It was the 16th home run of the season for Baldwin, though he's homered only twice since June 17. The 25-year-old catcher has an .804 OPS with 51 RBI and one steal across 324 plate appearances this season.

The Giants designated Haase for assignment Friday.

With Daniel Susac (back) now back from the injured list, Haase will lose his place on both the active and 40-man rosters. The 33-year-old backstop has slashed just .162/.235/.365 across 84 plate appearances with the Giants this season.

The Giants reinstated Susac (back) from the injured list Friday.

Susac has been on the shelf since late June due to a lower-back strain. He began playing in minor-league games July 9 and went 4-for-11 with a homer, four RBI, two runs scored and a steal over three Triple-A contests. Now with a clean bill of health and well rested following the All-Star break, he'll rejoin the big-league roster and figures to reclaim his role as the Giants' primary catcher. Eric Haase was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Ruiz will grab a seat on the bench Friday after going just 4-for-21 at the plate since the beginning of July. Harry Ford will fill in as Washington's catcher and bat sixth.

The Padres optioned Duran to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

With Freddy Fermin (head) now back from the injured list, the Padres will send Duran back down to the minors to avoid carrying three catchers on their active roster. The 28-year-old backstop has slashed just .146/.222/.305 across 91 plate appearances with the big club this season but would likely return to San Diego if the Friars' catcher depth is tested again later in the year.

The Padres reinstated Fermin (head) from the injured list Friday.

Fermin has been on the shelf since July 3 with a head bruise but began playing in rehab games July 8 and has since gone 3-for-12 with a walk and two RBI in three contests. Now fully healthy, he'll return to the active roster for the start of the second half but will remain on the bench Friday while Luis Campusano starts behind the plate. Rodolfo Duran was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.