MLB Player News

Vazquez went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, two runs, a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 9-3 win over Detroit.

Vazquez produced his first three-hit game since April, and three of the veteran catcher's five home runs this season have come in the month of July. He is still splitting work with Ryan Jeffers behind the plate, but with Jeffers seeing work as the DH as well, Vazquez has started 10 of the last 18 games. The 33-year-old is slashing .280/.321/.507 with four homers over his last 75 at-bats.

The Cubs selected Bethancourt's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Bethancourt will fill the roster spot vacated by Tomas Nido (knee) and will share catching duties with Miguel Amaya while Nido recuperates. The 32-year-old slashed just .159/.198/.268 across 88 plate appearances with the Marlins earlier this season.

The Cubs placed Nido on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right knee sprain, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Nido will be eligible to return in early August but given the nature of the injury, it seems unlikely that he'll be ready by then. Miguel Amaya and Christian Bethancourt will handle the catching duties for the Cubs.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles.

Higashioka is absent from the starting lineup for a second straight contest, yielding to Luis Campusano behind the dish. Higashioka has gone 5-for-15 with two doubles and a homer since the All-Star break.

Murphy is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Mets.

Travis d'Arnaud has started each of the first two games of the series against the Mets and has made four starts to Murphy's three since the All-Star break. Murphy had two hits in his last start Wednesday, but before that he had been hitless across his last five contests.

Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Cincinnati.

Rortvedt is absent from the starting nine for a second consecutive game, avoiding a matchup with lefty Nick Lodolo on Friday. Alex Jackson will bat ninth and catch in Rortvedt's place.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers.

Jeffers will give way to Christian Vazquez behind the dish for Friday's series opener. Jeffers is 3-for-16 with a double since the All-Star break and holds a .773 OPS on the year.

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Murphy will get a breather after going 2-for-4 during Wednesday's game against the Reds, allowing Travis d'Arnaud to catch for lefty Chris Sale during Thursday's series opener.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Thursday against the Giants, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smith will be held out of Thursday's series finale after going 0-for-10 with two walks over the first three games of the series. Austin Barnes will start instead behind the dish, batting eighth.

Rortvedt is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

Rortvedt will get a breather for the day game after he was behind the plate for the Rays in both of the previous two contests. Alex Jackson will start at catcher in the series finale, batting ninth.