MLB Player News

Ruiz went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and one run scored in an 8-5 loss to Atlanta in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Ruiz went 6-for-40 (.150) over his previous 10 games before Sunday. The catcher has been noticeably better in the second half of the campaign, batting .284 since the All-Star break after hitting just .226 in the first half. He's at a .251/.301/.397 slash line with 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 50 runs scored and one stolen base through 539 plate appearances overall.

Alvarez (hand) left Sunday's contest versus the Phillies in the bottom of the sixth inning, Tim Healey of Newsday Sports reports.

Alvarez took two foul tips off of his left hand and was forced to leave the game. Omar Narvaez replaced him behind the plate, and more information on Alvarez's status will likely come following Sunday's contest.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Murphy started behind the plate in Game 1 and went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and an additional run scored. Travis d'Arnaud will catch for Allan Winans in the nightcap.

Bailey is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey started the past two games and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale in Los Angeles. Blake Sabol will step in behind the plate and bat eighth.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's the second straight game on the bench for Maldonado, though he's still started behind the plate in four of Houston's past seven contests. Yainer Diaz will step in to catch for Hunter Brown on Sunday.

Rodriguez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Cincinnati, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Rodriguez started the past three games and will receive a breather for Sunday's series finale. Jason Delay will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Naylor (thumb) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

The 23-year-old was removed from Friday's contest with a bruised right thumb and will sit Sunday for the second straight game. David Fry will work behind the plate in the series finale versus Baltimore with Naylor banged up.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader versus Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz was never likely to start both games of Sunday's twin bill, and he'll take a seat for the matinee. Drew Millas will work behind the plate in Game 1 with Ruiz likely to start the nightcap.

The Royals reinstated Perez from the 7-day concussion IL on Sunday.

Perez landed on the 7-day IL last Monday after taking a foul tip off his mask, but he will return after a minimum-length stay. He'll bat third and serve as Kansas City's designated hitter in his return Sunday while Logan Porter starts behind the dish. Tyler Cropley was optioned to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.

Heim went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in Saturday's 2-0 win over Seattle.

Heim extended his hit streak to four consecutive games with a run-producing single in the fourth inning. In addition to hits in four straight, Heim has driven in a run in all four. The catcher is 5-for-12 with two doubles, a home run, seven RBI and four runs scored during that stretch. Heim is up to 92 RBI over 123 games on the season.