MLB Player News

Campusano (abdomen) will start at catcher and bat ninth Friday against the Royals.

Campusano was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of Sunday's first-half finale due to abdominal soreness, but he now appears to be feeling better after getting a chance to recover during the break. He's gone 6-for-18 with five walks, a homer and four runs scored since returning from a fractured toe July 4.

Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith's neck continued to bother him as he attempted to ramp up his activity, so the Dodgers will fully shut him down for a week, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

The Dodgers still expect Smith to return at some point this season, and although there's still no clear idea of when exactly that might be, Roberts noted that the earliest possible date for the catcher's return likely will be in mid-August. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as Los Angeles' primary backstop in the meantime.

Narvaez went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in a 10-0 victory over the Rays in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

Narvaez had a couple of run-scoring singles before putting the final touch on the win with a seventh-inning homer to make it 10-0. The homer was his third of the season and first since April 28. It was rare offense from the catcher, who entered the contest with a .188 average and just six RBI over 54 games this season.

Heim is not in the Athletics' starting lineup against the Nationals on Friday.

The Athletics will roll with Shea Langeliers at catcher, Carlos Cortes as the designated hitter and Tommy White at first base while Heim opens Friday's game on the bench. Heim went 8-for-37 (.216) with two home runs and nine RBI in his 10 games prior to the All-Star break.

The Red Sox released Thaiss on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Thaiss has spent the entire season at Triple-A Worcester, where he's slashed an ugly .201/.314/.313 with three homers, 24 RBI, 17 runs scored, one stolen base and a 20:26 BB:K across 170 plate appearances. The 31-year-old will look for an opportunity elsewhere after appearing in 60 games with the White Sox and Rays last season.

D'Arnaud (foot) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

D'Arnaud hasn't played since May 6 due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He's been running the bases for the past week -- the last step in his recovery before he begins a rehab assignment. The veteran backstop has a .614 OPS across 40 plate appearances this season.

The Nationals recalled Ford from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Ford's promotion was reported earlier this week and is now official, as he'll absorb the roster spot vacated by the injured Drew Millas (finger). The 23-year-old has slashed a disappointing .223/.370/.335 with four homers, zero stolen bases and a 45:65 BB:K across 257 plate appearances at Rochester. Ford should operate primarily as the backup catcher behind Keibert Ruiz.

Briceno (wrist) was activated from the 60-day injured list at Double-A Erie on Friday, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Briceno had surgery to repair a tendon in his right wrist back in March and began a rehab assignment late last month. The Tigers' top catching prospect, Briceno slashed .266/.383/.500 with 20 homers, 76 RBI, 60 runs scored and a 66:87 BB:K across 441 trips to the plate between High-A and Double-A as a 20-year-old last season.

Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs and a walk in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.

It was the first multi-homer game of the season for Alvarez and the seventh of his career. The slugging backstop has fared well at the dish since returning from the injured list with a torn meniscus in early June, batting .280 with seven long balls, two doubles and 14 RBI over his last 100 at-bats (28 games). For the campaign (236 plate appearances), Alvarez is slashing .259/.325/.448 with 11 big flies, seven doubles and 24 RBI.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said recently that while he "certainly" expects Smith (neck) to play again this season, he has "no idea" when it will happen, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith has been sidelined for more than a month with a lingering neck issue. He has been hitting and throwing but seems unable to get over the hump with the injury, as there's no timeline for when he will be ready for a rehab assignment. The Dodgers will enter the second half with an 11.5-game lead in the National League West, so they can afford to take their time with Smith.