MLB Player News

Smith is not in the lineup for Thursday's later game at Cleveland.

Smith caught all nine innings and went 0-for-4 with an RBI sac fly in Wednesday's rain-suspended 6-1 win, which had to be concluded Thursday afternoon. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate in the Dodgers' regularly-scheduled tilt versus the Guardians.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

The White Sox are swapping out catchers, replacing Perez with Korey Lee. Perez has managed just a .611 OPS over 18 games during his time with the big club this season.

Lee was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Acquired from the Astros in the Kendall Graveman trade, Lee has batted .278/.325/.386 with five home runs and 13 stolen bases over 357 plate appearances at the Triple-A level in 2023. It's been a significant power drop-off after he slugged 25 homers in the minors last season, but Lee still has the potential to be an above-average hitting catcher who also offers some rare speed at the position. It's possible he receives regular at-bats down the stretch as the White Sox turn the page to 2024.

Ruiz is out of the lineup Thursday versus the Yankees due to lightheadedness, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz took a foul tip off his catcher's mask in the Nationals' blowout loss to New York on Wednesday and was feeling the effects of it Thursday morning. There's no word yet as to whether he'll have to be placed in concussion protocol. Riley Adams is starting behind the dish and batting seventh in Thursday's matinee game at Yankee Stadium.

Ruiz is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Riley Adams will start at catcher and bat seventh for the Nationals as they wrap up this three-game set with a matinee tilt in New York. Ruiz went 2-for-7 with two singles in the first two games of the series.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Rays, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

The Rockies have a day game after playing a night game Wednesday, so Diaz will receive a well-earned breather. Austin Wynns will do the catching for Peter Lambert.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Rays.

The veteran backstop got the Rockies on the board in the fifth inning with a solo shot off Aaron Civale before adding a two-run single in the sixth that put his team ahead, only for closer Justin Lawrence to melt down again in the ninth. The streaky Diaz seems to be heating up again -- after going 4-for-38 (.105) with only a solo homer over his prior 12 games, he's erupted for nine hits and eight RBI in his last four. On the season, Diaz is slashing .271/.322/.425 with 13 home runs, 37 runs and 59 RBI in a career-high 111 contests.

Stephenson went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in a 7-3 win over the Angels in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Stephenson went deep in the fourth inning to put the Reds ahead 3-1. The catcher has homered twice over his last three games to get to 10 long balls on the year. He's slashing .241/.324/.362 with 42 RBI, 50 runs scored, 13 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 113 contests as the Reds' primary backstop.

Diaz went 3-for-5 with one RBI in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Diaz extended his hitting streak to seven games, a span in which he's gone 12-for-31 (.387) with three home runs and seven RBI. The 24-year-old has seen a bit more playing time this week with Yordan Alvarez (finger) battling an injury. Diaz is up to a .286/.302/.541 slash line with 18 home runs, 18 doubles, 46 RBI and 37 runs scored across 82 contests this season. He continues to provide cover at catcher, designated hitter and first base.

Maldonado went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Maldonado is hitting .234 (11-for-47) in August, with four extra-base hits and eight RBI across 15 contests. That's a better average than his .180 mark for the year, and he's at a poor .568 OPS even with the improved power output of late. The veteran catcher has added 26 RBI, 25 runs scored, 10 homers and 10 doubles through 93 contests as the Astros' top backstop.