MLB Player News

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two total runs and two total RBI in Thursday's loss to the Reds.

Smith had been uncharacteristically quiet at the plate over his past three games coming into Wednesday, going 1-for-11 with four strikeouts. The catcher got back on track with a pair of hits, including a two-run homer during the third inning. Smith is tied for fourth among catchers with nine long balls on the campaign, and he's staked a loud claim for his first All-Star selection with a .305/.407/.532 slash line along with 32 RBI, 31 runs, one steal and a sterling 28:19 BB:K.

Sanchez went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-3 victory over Seattle.

Sanchez extended the Padres' lead to 4-0 with a three-run, 414-foot shot off George Kirby with two outs in the third inning. The 30-year-old Sanchez has continued to mash with San Diego -- he's now 9-for-29 (.310) with four home runs and a 1.168 OPS through 32 plate appearances while seeing the majority of starts behind the plate.

Amaya is starting at catcher Wednesday against the Angels.

Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart will both ride the pine. Amaya has posted an .857 OPS through his first 29 major-league plate appearances this season with the Cubs and has now started four straight games between catcher and DH.

Contreras is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Orioles.

Victor Caratini is starting at catcher and Jon Singleton will serve as the Brewers' designated hitter against the O's and right-hander Dean Kremer. This looks to be a routine day off for Contreras, who caught all 10 innings of Tuesday night's 4-3 win for Milwaukee.

Garver is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Garver will get a day off after he went 6-for-16 with three extra-base hits and a pair of walks while starting each of the past four games. Though Jonah Heim is entrenched as Texas' top option behind the plate, Garver should remain the Rangers' preferred designated hitter while he's wielding a hot bat.

Jansen (groin) is on track to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo over the weekend and could be activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

After he was able to do sprinting work on the field Monday, Jansen took another incremental step forward in his recovery from the left groin strain by running the bases Wednesday. He'll likely get reassessed Thursday, and if he checks out fine, the Blue Jays could map out a minor-league rehab schedule for him. Whenever he's ready to return from the IL, Jansen will likely resume sharing catching duties with Alejandro Kirk.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Maldonado will give way behind the plate to Yainer Diaz for the second time in the series. Though the Astros laud Maldonado for his work as a game caller and pitch framer, his .577 OPS and career-worst 31.8 percent strikeout rate have made it difficult for fantasy players to wring much value from him.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Kirk gets a breather after going 1-for-7 with a home run in the first two contests of the series. With Kirk on the bench Wednesday, Tyler Heineman will handle catching duties for the Blue Jays.

Barrera was outrighted to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Brian Walton of TheCardinalNation.com reports.

Barrera passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Saturday. The 28-year-old catcher drew only two plate appearances during his month-long stay on the major-league roster in St. Louis, largely because Willson Contreras was allowed to return to defensive duties.

Bethancourt is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia have now alternated catching duties over the past six games, with both backstops drawing three starts apiece. The playing time has generally tilted in Bethancourt's favor this season, so he should still be viewed as Option 1A behind the plate for Tampa Bay.