MLB Player News

Stephenson is out of the lineup Friday against Boston.

Stephenson will give way to Luke Maile behind the dish Friday for the fourth time in five games. Stephenson owns a .723 OPS across 213 plate appearances this season.

Stubbs isn't in the starting nine for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

With lefty Jordan Montgomery on the mound for Arizona, Stubbs will yield to Rafael Marchan behind the dish. Stubbs is 4-for-19 (.210) since J.T. Realmuto's (knee) injury.

Bailey went 4-for-5 in Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Cardinals.

Bailey is 14-for-37 (.378) over his last 10 games, and the lone contest in that span in which he failed to log a hit was one where he appeared off the bench. While the catcher is making consistent contact, it hasn't been particularly powerful -- he has just two extra-base hits in that span. Overall, he's at a .299/.367/.439 slash line with five homers, two stolen bases, 23 RBI, 19 runs scored and eight doubles through 50 contests.

The Royals optioned Nola to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The 34-year-old was called up by Kansas City last weekend but will lose his place on the 26-man roster as Hunter Renfroe (toe) returns from the injured list. Nola didn't see game action while up with the Royals.

The Mets recalled Hudson from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old will join the Mets for this weekend's three-game set against the Cubs as Luis Torrens heads to the paternity list. Hudson hasn't seen action in the big leagues since 2020 and has appeared in just eight games across parts of three seasons.

The Mets placed Torrens on the paternity leave list Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Torrens will likely miss the weekend series versus the Cubs while he welcomes a new baby to the family. Joe Hudson will fill his roster spot.

Fermin went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in a 3-2 win over Oakland on Thursday.

Fermin accounted for both Royals runs against Oakland starter Mitch Spence, belting a solo shot in each of the second and fourth frames. The backstop had just two homers across 138 plate appearances coming into the contest, though he flashed some power by going deep nine times over 235 plate appearances last year. Fermin has swung a solid stick with a .303/.352/.447 slash line this season, and he's being rewarded with increased opportunities. Over Kansas City's past five games, Fermin has started four times (three times at catcher and once at DH).

Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo home run against Colorado in Thursday's 5-3 victory.

Smith hit one of three Los Angeles long balls Thursday, bashing a 451-foot solo shot to center field in the fourth inning. It was the catcher's 11th home run of the campaign, which leads NL backstops. Across the majors, only three catchers have more homers than Smith this season, and only two (Adley Rutschman and William Contreras) have topped Smith's 45 RBI.

Rutschman went 3-for-5 with a double, two walks and three runs scored in Thursday's 17-5 win over the Yankees.

This was the catcher's second multi-hit effort over his last nine games, a span in which he's gone a meager 7-for-35 (.200). Rutschman started the year hot at the plate, but his struggles haven't cost him much playing time and he remains productive. He's hitting .293 with an .814 OPS, 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 39 runs scored and one stolen base over 70 contests this season.

Bethancourt was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bethancourt has served as Miami's backup catcher this season, but he has struggled to a .466 OPS across 88 plate appearances. Ali Sanchez is expected to take over as the new second catcher on the depth chart behind Nick Fortes.