MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Smith (hand) is undergoing a CT scan, and it's "probably unlikely" the catcher will play this weekend against the Orioles, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith had to be removed from Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh after a foul tip caught him in the right hand. He's not in Thursday's lineup and could require a stint on the 10-day injured list, pending results of the CT scan. Ben Rortvedt will be added to the roster as a third catcher, and Dalton Rushing will handle the bulk of the starts behind the plate while Smith is out.

Rodriguez was promoted from Single-A Palm Beach to High-A Peoria on Thursday.

Rodriguez has demolished Florida Complex League and Florida State League pitching thus far, slashing .275/.405/.567 with 20 home runs and a 63:54 K:BB over 80 games covering the two stops. The 18-year-old will now get his feet wet in the Midwest League before Peoria's season concludes Sunday. Rodriguez has established himself as one of the best young power-hitting prospects in baseball.

Smith (hand) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

Smith had to be removed from Wednesday's contest when his right hand was struck by a ball while he was catching. He avoided any broken bones, but he'll get a little more rest as he deals with a contusion. Dalton Rushing is catching and batting ninth in Thursday's series finale.

Cruz is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

Southpaw Blake Snell is on the bump for the Dodgers, marking the fifth straight game the left-handed-hitting Cruz has been out of the lineup versus a lefty (when healthy). The 26-year-old is slashing a woeful .106/.212/.183 with a 36.4 percent strikeout rate against left-handed pitching this season, so he now appears to find himself in a platoon. Alexander Canario will be in center field and bat seventh for the Pirates on Thursday.

Frelick isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Although he usually remains in the lineup against southpaws, Frelick will get a chance to rest his legs while the Brewers face Ranger Suarez in Thursday's series finale. Jackson Chourio, Blake Perkins and Isaac Collins will start across the outfield with Frelick out.

Turang isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Philadelphia.

Turang doesn't typically bow out of the lineup whenever the Brewers face a lefty, but the team will use Thursday's matchup against Ranger Suarez as an opportunity to get the white-hot Turang a day to rest. Andruw Monasterio will fill in at the keystone and bat seventh.

Hardin (undisclosed) has a 3.37 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB in 5.1 innings across three starts since getting activated from the 7-day injured list at Double-A Biloxi on Aug. 22.

Hardin, a 6-foot-2 righty the Brewers selected in the 12th round of last year's draft, gave up five earned runs over four innings in a July 11 start and was later placed on the injured list, missing a total of six weeks. The 23-year-old had a 10.0 K/9 over his first nine starts for High-A Wisconsin, but he has an 8.3 K/9 over his last 10 starts and a 6.8 K/9 over his last four starts, so the college reliever may be wearing down in his first season as a starter. Despite the declining stuff, Hardin's control remains sharp, as he has walked one or fewer batter in seven of his last eight starts. He will likely split the 2026 season between Double-A and Triple-A while looking to build on this year's career-high innings total.

Atlanta designated Williams for assignment Thursday.

Williams went just 4-for-30 at the plate with Atlanta this season while recording five RBI and scoring five runs. Williams' defensive versatility could allow him to get claimed by another team, though he remains a non-factor on offense.

Atlanta recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Hernandez will give manager Brian Snitker a fresh bullpen arm. The hard-throwing righty has a 2.72 ERA but also a 33:30 K:BB over 36.1 frames this season with the big club.

The Mets claimed Suero off waivers from Atlanta on Thursday.

Suero has given up eight runs in only 6.1 innings in the majors this season, but the Mets will take a chance on him based on his 1.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through 46.2 frames in Triple-A.