MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's loss to the Guardians.

He gave the Dodgers an early lead by taking former battery-mate Noah Syndergaard deep in the first inning, but it didn't hold up. Smith is having a sluggish August by his standards, slashing .254/.295/.423 through 19 games with three of his 16 homers on the season and 11 of his 63 RBI.

Garver went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Garver's recent strong stretch ended with a three-game slump in which he went 0-for-12, but he was back to bashing Tuesday. His homer was his fourth of the month and 10th of the season. The catcher is at a .277/.357/.495 slash line with 33 RBI, 25 runs scored and 10 doubles over 54 contests this year. Garver has seen most of his playing time at designated hitter since Jonah Heim returned from a wrist injury.

Langeliers went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

After going 11 games without a homer, Langeliers has launched a long ball in back-to-back contests. The catcher has had a mediocre August, batting .229 (11-for-48) for the month. He's at a .206/.269/.375 slash line with 13 homers, 41 RBI, 38 runs scored and two stolen bases through 105 games this year as the Athletics' primary backstop.

Vazquez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to the Brewers.

Vazquez notched his fourth long ball of the season and his first since July 26 on Tuesday, taking Wade Miley yard in the second inning with Kyle Farmer aboard. Though Vazquez has been a poor source of power this season, he's been a quality bat since the All-Star break (21 games), batting .274 with 10 runs scored and nine RBI while striking out at an 18.4 percent clip.

Contreras was ejected from Tuesday's game against the Pirates after arguing about the strike zone, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Contreras struck out swinging to end the top of the seventh inning with the bases loaded, though he appeared to be upset about a call earlier in the at-bat. Andrew Knizner took over behind the dish in his place.

Fermin is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Fermin will sit for the second time in the past three games. Prior to that, he had made four consecutive starts, going 3-for-10. With Nick Pratto still on the injured list, Salvador Perez will move back to catcher Tuesday and Matt Duffy will start at first base.

Diaz was a late addition to Tuesday's lineup against the Red Sox, starting at designated hitter and batting cleanup, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Yordan Alavarez injured his left index finger in his door at home Tuesday, so he was a late scratch, with manager Dusty Baker expressing hope that he would be back in the mix Wednesday. Diaz has been playing pretty regularly at first base, designated hitter and catcher, and he is hitting .321 with five home runs in 16 games this month.

Diaz is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Red Sox.

After drawing into the starting lineup in four straight games, Diaz will be on the bench Tuesday. The 24-year-old went 7-for-18 with five extra-base hits during his aforementioned quartet of starts, and his night off will result in Jon Singleton sliding into the DH role.

Gomes is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Tigers.

Miguel Amaya will catch and bat ninth for the visiting Cubs. Gomes hit a double in Monday's series opener versus Detroit, but he's slashing just .182/.229/.296 through 48 total plate appearances so far in August.

Jeffers is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Brewers.

Jeffers is hitting .256 with four home runs and 15 strikeouts in 13 games this month, but he's now sat out four times in five games. Christian Vazquez will get the start at catcher Tuesday and appears to have overtaken Jeffers on the depth chart.