MLB Player News
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Keibert Ruiz C | WAS
Nationals' Keibert Ruiz: Likely headed for rehab stint
Ruiz (illness) indicated Sunday that he is almost fully recovered from the bout of the flu that landed him on the 10-day injured list, but he's expected to go on a short rehab stint before being activated, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The 25-year-old catcher has lost nearly 20 pounds while battling the bug, but he's begun taking part in some baseball activities and lifting weights again. He also tried to spin the weight loss as a positive. "But I feel good. I feel lighter," Ruiz said. "So I've got to take the positives. I feel like I can run better, move better. And I gain weight fast, too. I'm going to eat a couple burgers." Ruiz will likely be assigned to Double-A Harrisburg to get back into game shape, and while he's eligible to come off the IL as soon as Tuesday, a return this weekend for a series in Miami seems more plausible.
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Tomas Nido C | DET
Mets' Tomas Nido: Makes defensive impact Sunday
Nido went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in Sunday's loss to the Dodgers.
Making his first start of the season for the Mets and batting ninth, Nido threw out Will Smith attempting to swipe second base to end the third inning -- a noteworthy event only because Francisco Alvarez (thumb) and Omar Narvaez had gone a combined 0-for-28 to begin the season in throwing out base stealers. With Alvarez sidelined and Narvaez batting just .200 (5-for-25), Nido's defense could earn him more than just a short-side platoon role while he's in the majors.
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Austin Wells C | NYY
Yankees' Austin Wells: Gives way to Trevino behind plate
Wells is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Wells will head to the bench for the fifth time in eight games, with four of those absences coming with the opposition bringing left-handed pitchers to the hill. Though the Yankees seem to be opting for a platoon at catcher between the lefty-hitting Wells and the righty-hitting Jose Trevino, it's possible that Wells moves into a pure backup role or is optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if he's unable to get going at the plate anytime soon. Wells has mustered a lowly .347 OPS through his first 13 games of the season.
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Andrew Knizner C | BOS
Rangers' Andrew Knizner: Provides spark in comeback win
Knizner went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 6-4 win over Atlanta.
Knizner's three-run blast in the fourth inning helped erase Atlanta's early 3-0 lead. It was his first home run of the season and just his second hit. Knizner started for a second straight game and is filling in for Jonah Heim, who is currently on the bereavement list.
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Elias Diaz C | TEX
Rockies' Elias Diaz: Productive in Game 2
Diaz went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mariners.
Diaz delivered Colorado's only offense with a two-RBI double in the opening frame. That continued a hot start to the campaign, as he has at least one hit in 11 of his last 13 games while also racking up nine RBI and five runs scored in that span.
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Cal Raleigh C | SEA
Mariners' Cal Raleigh: Another day, another homer
Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and three RBI in the Mariners' 10-2 win over the Rockies in Game 2 of their doubleheader Sunday.
Raleigh launched a two-run homer off reliever Noah Davis in the top of the sixth inning, driving in Julio Rodriguez in the process. He later added a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth, scoring J.P. Crawford for his third RBI of the game. The home run was the catcher's fifth of the season and his third over the last four games. Following Sunday's pair of contests, Raleigh is batting .258 with five homers, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored over 66 at-bats in 19 contests this year.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Two hits, two RBI in win
Moreno went 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Giants.
Moreno made his big splash in the top of the sixth inning, driving in two runs with a one-out single, giving Arizona a 3-2 lead. He later added another base knock in the top of the ninth, coming around to score on a double from Kevin Newman. Moreno is has now produced back-to-back two-hit performances, raising his batting average to .263 with 11 RBI and eight runs scored over 57 at-bats in 19 games this season.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Braves' Travis d'Arnaud: Takes seat Sunday
D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
After he totaled four homers and eight RBI in the first two games of the series, d'Arnaud will head to the bench for Sunday's finale. Chadwick Tromp will step in behind the plate to catch for Darious Vines.
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Francisco Alvarez C | NYM
Mets' Francisco Alvarez: Set to have surgery
Alvarez will get surgery Tuesday for the torn UCL in his left thumb and expects to miss 6-to-8 weeks, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Alvarez sustained the thumb injury during Friday's game against the Dodgers after stumbling on his turn toward second base. He started the season slashing .236/.288/.364 with one home run and eight RBI over 59 plate appearances. Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido will handle the catching duties while Alvarez is sidelined.
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Austin Hedges C | CLE
Guardians' Austin Hedges: Swipes bag in win
Hedges went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Athletics.
Hedges has played in just seven of the Guardians' first 21 contests. He's shared backup duties at catcher with David Fry when Bo Naylor is not playing. Hedges is hitting .120 with three RBI, one runs scored, one double and a stolen base over 26 plate appearances, which includes 10 strikeouts and no walks. As a defensive catcher, it's no surprise Hedges is not adding much with the bat.