MLB Player News

Ruiz isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Saturday's game against Miami.

Ruiz went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in his return to the lineup Friday, and he'll get another breather Saturday. Riley Adams will get the nod behind the dish and bat seventh.

Sanchez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a loss to Milwaukee on Friday.

Sanchez struck out in his first three at-bats before crushing a two-run shot to left field in the ninth inning. The long ball was his fifth through 14 games in August and his 17th overall this season, sixth most among all MLB catchers. That total is particularly impressive given that Sanchez didn't play his first game of the campaign until May 21. However, Sanchez remains a batting-average liability in fantasy, as he's posting a .210 mark on the season.

Kirk will sit Saturday against the Guardians.

Kirk finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games, with Danny Jansen starting behind the plate. Kirk's disappointing .247/.328/.338 slash line means he hasn't had the opportunity to pad his playing time with starts at designated hitter in recent weeks. He last started at that position back on Aug. 4.

Langeliers went 0-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run in a win over the White Sox on Friday.

Fresh off a two-homer night Thursday, Langeliers' offensive performance Friday was much more muted. However, the 25-year-old was able to make good use of his one trip on the basepaths, and he's now reached safely in six straight games while hitting a solid .286 and slugging four homers overall during that span.

Naylor went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The rookie catcher made history when he drove a Chris Bassitt sinker down the right-field line and over the fence in the third inning, becoming the first Canadian-born player in big-league history to homer in his first at-bat north of the border, per Julia Kreuz of MLB.com. Naylor might be finding his footing in the majors after largely struggling at the plate since his promotion in mid-June -- the 23-year-old has six hits, including three doubles and Friday's homer, over his last four starts.

Raleigh went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 7-5 win over the Royals.

Raleigh has a pair of three-hit efforts over his last four games. The catcher has hit just .222 (18-for-81) in August, but he's popped eight home runs and driven in 20 runs over those 22 contests. Overall, he's at a .229/.304/.468 slash line with 24 homers, 63 RBI, 61 runs scored and 20 doubles over 113 contests.

Bailey is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against Atlanta, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta is starting Spencer Strider, so Bailey probably didn't put up too much of a fight when he was told he was getting a day off. Blake Sabol will do the catching for Logan Webb.

Murphy (thumb) is expected to be cleared to increase the intensity of his baseball activities this week, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Murphy has been sidelined since mid-August with a left thumb sprain but seems to have made a rapid recovery. It's not clear at this point whether he will require a rehab assignment before rejoining the Mariners.

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup Friday against the Giants, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy will get a day off Friday after going 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored during Wednesday's game against the Mets. As usual, Travis d'Arnaud will start behind the dish and bat seventh in Murphy's place.

Heim is not in the lineup Friday against the Twins.

Heim has gone 2-for-24 (.083) with zero extra-base hits and eight strikeouts since returning Aug. 13 from a three-week absence to heal a tendon strain in his left wrist. Austin Hedges will get a rare start at catcher Friday as Mitch Garver serves as the Rangers' designated hitter.