MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Smith started the previous four games behind the plate and will receive Sunday off after going 5-for-17 with a walk and two runs during that stretch. Dalton Rushing will handle the catching for righty Roki Sasaki in the series finale.

Jansen isn't in the Rangers' starting lineup Sunday versus the Reds.

Jansen started behind the plate each of Texas' past four games, and he'll get a well-deserved rest Sunday. The veteran catcher has performed well to begin the season, slashing .250/.250/.458 with a home run and six RBI through 24 plate appearances. Kyle Higashioka is behind the dish for the Rangers in Sunday's series finale.

Ballesteros is out of the lineup for the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Ballesteros will hit the bench for a third straight game after he started the first five contests of the season. The previous two absences came against a lefty starter, but right-hander Slade Cecconi is taking the ball for Cleveland in the first game of Sunday's twin bill. Alex Bregman is resting his legs but staying in the lineup at designated hitter while Matt Shaw handles the hot corner.

Rodriguez made his first career professional start at first base with High-A Peoria on Saturday.

After starting at catcher and homering in the season opener Friday, Rodriguez was used at first base Saturday and went 0-for-3 with a walk. All indications are that the Cardinals will continue to develop Rodriguez as a catcher, but they have lots of organizational depth at the position and it's the 19-year-old's bat that will carry him. If Rodriguez does eventually move to first base or another less physically taxing position, it could accelerate his ascension to the big leagues.

Rutschman is not in Baltimore's starting lineup Sunday versus Pittsburgh.

Rutschman was behind the plate for four of the previous five games and will get a breather Sunday. Samuel Basallo is doing the catching for Baltimore in the series finale against Pittsburgh.

Del Castillo served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

Del Castillo made his season debut after the Diamondbacks activated him off the IL on Friday. He batted fifth in the order, which could provide RBI opportunities if he sticks in that spot when he's in the lineup. Del Castillo is expected to get regular turns at DH against right-handers, as was the case Saturday, until Pavin Smith (elbow) is healthy.

Perez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Saturday's Game 2 win over Milwaukee.

The homer was Perez's second of the young season, and he also drew a season-high two walks. He also started Game 1 and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. The veteran backstop has hit safely in six of his first eight games, though he's without any multi-hit efforts to this point. Perez has hit cleanup in each of Kansas City's first eight contests, so he should have plenty of RBI chances moving ahead.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with an RBI, two walks and two runs scored in Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Yankees.

The 24-year-old walked in the top of the first inning and later scored on a two-run triple by Heriberto Hernandez. Ramirez then singled home Xavier Edwards in the second inning. Ramirez has just one extra-base hit through seven games this season and drove in his first run Saturday. He's slashing .273/.448/.318 with seven walks across 29 plate appearances.

Alvarez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Alvarez will get a breather after slugging a pair of solo homers during Friday's win. Luis Torrens will replace him behind the plate and bat ninth.

Contreras isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored during Game 1 of the twin bill, and he'll now watch Saturday's finale from the dugout. Gary Sanchez will start behind the plate instead and bat fifth.