MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk in Saturday's 8-7 victory versus the Astros.

Smith put the Dodgers on the board with a solo shot to left field in the first inning and scored the game-tying run during the team's rally in the eighth. The long ball was his 11th of the season, which ranks fourth among big-league catchers. Smith's other offensive numbers help make him one of the game's elite hitting backstops, as he's slashing .292/.407/.508 with 39 RBI, 36 runs, one steal and a 37:33 BB:K.

Fermin went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer and an additional run scored in Saturday's victory over the Rays.

Fermin took Yonny Chirinos deep for a three-run home run in the fourth inning, plating Edward Olivares and Drew Waters to give the Royals a two-run lead. The outing marked his second three-hit effort across his last three appearances, while the home run was Fermin's first since May 12 (16 games). With Salvador Perez battling a hand and hamstring issue over the last 10 days, Fermin has managed to see action in seven of the Royals' previous 10 contests but is expected to return to a reserve role with Perez at full health.

Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday against the Red Sox.

Grandal missed the White Sox's last two games with right knee soreness, though he returned and homered in his first at-bat Saturday. It was his sixth long ball of the campaign and third in his last 23 games. While he's well off pace of the peaks in his career, Grandal has already surpassed his homer and doubles total for the entirety of the 2022 campaign.

D'Arnaud went 4-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-6 win against Cincinnati.

The second-through-fifth hitters in Atlanta's lineup each had multiple hits, and d'Arnaud led the charge with four knocks, including a second-inning solo shot that opened the scoring. It was the second four-hit game of the campaign for the backstop, with the other coming March 30 against Washington. D'Arnaud has started at catcher in five straight games while Sean Murphy (hamstring) has been on the shelf, and he's batted .333 (7-for-21) with two homers and four RBI over that span.

Thaiss went 3-for-6 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 25-1 win over the Rockies.

Thaiss came into Saturday 0-for-9 over his last four contests, and Chad Wallach had started four games in a row to capitalize on Thaiss's slump. That dry spell is over in a big way, but it's likely the Angels continue with a timeshare behind the dish. Thaiss has held his own with a .277/.383/.409 slash line, four homers, 21 RBI, 22 runs scored and a stolen base over 162 plate appearances on the year.

Naylor went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Saturday's 4-2 win over Milwaukee.

Naylor had another rough night at the plate, going down swinging three times and failing to reach base safely in four at-bats. After slashing .252/.387/.486 with 12 long balls at the Triple-A level prior to his promotion, Naylor has gone 1-for-16 (.062) with eight strikeouts in five appearances with the big club. Though the rookie has primarily been splitting time with Cam Gallagher behind the dish, the pair could start ceding more work to David Fry if their struggles at the plate persist.

The Angels designated Okey for assignment Saturday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

It clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Eduardo Escobar after he was acquired in the three-player deal with the Mets on Friday. Okey could see interest on the waiver wire for a team looking for catching depth, but if he goes unclaimed he'll likely head back to Triple-A Salt Lake

Maldonado isn't in the Astros' lineup Saturday against the Dodgers.

Maldonado is 3-for-13 with an RBI and a run scored across his last five games, and he will get a breather Saturday. While he rests, Yainer Diaz will take over at catcher and bat fifth.

Rogers isn't in the Tigers' lineup Saturday against the Twins.

Rogers is 3-for-14 with two RBI, three runs scored and six strikeouts across his last five games. He'll sit Saturday in favor of Eric Haase, who will bat eighth.

Vazquez isn't in the Twins' lineup Saturday against Detroit.

It's been a tough season for Vazquez, but he's turned it around as of late by going 4-for-13 with a homer and five RBI across his last five games. He'll sit Saturday while Ryan Jeffers starts behind the dish and bats eighth.