MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Smith went 1-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored Tuesday during his first game back from the injured list, and he'll retreat to the bench Wednesday as the Dodgers look to ease him back into action. Hunter Feduccia will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Ruiz passed concussion protocol following his removal from Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz was pulled from the game after taking a foul tip off his mask in the fourth inning. Although he managed to avoid suffering a concussion this time around, the 28-year-old backstop's history of concussions/head injuries could cause the Nationals to err on the side of caution and sit him down for another game or two. Harry Ford would benefit from extra playing time during any games Ruiz may have to miss.

Kelly is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Brewers.

Kelly started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he will get a break during Wednesday's tilt. Miguel Amaya will be behind the dish and will bat ninth for the Cubs.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Tampa Bay.

Alvarez was behind the dish for the first two games of the series, but he'll take a seat in the finale. Luis Torrens is doing the catching and batting ninth in the rubber match.

Ruiz was lifted from Wednesday's game against Atlanta in the fourth inning after taking a foul tip to the mask, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Ruiz has a history of concussions, so this is a worrisome development. The Nationals should have more on his status after the game. Ruiz flew out in his lone plate appearance Wednesday before exiting. He was replaced by Harry Ford, who would stand to benefit if Ruiz needs to miss additional time.

Smith went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's loss to St. Louis.

Smith returned Tuesday from a nearly three-month stay on the injured due to a neck injury. The All-Star catcher started behind the plate and batted fifth in the Dodgers' order. Smith flied out in each of his first three plate appearances before roping a two-run double to left field in the seventh inning. He'll have about four weeks to shake any rust ahead of the postseason and should return to a regular role as Los Angeles' top backstop, with Hunter Feduccia serving as his primary backup.

The Pirates signed Herrera to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Herrera will supplement the Pirates' organizational catching depth in the final month. He had been at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization, where he put up a .665 OPS in 40 contests.

Salas will start at catcher and bat sixth in his major-league debut Wednesday in Cincinnati.

Salas was among the Padres' September call-ups Tuesday and is set for his first start in the big leagues during Wednesday's series finale. The 20-year-old catcher has slashed .296/.374/.448 with 10 home runs, 17 stolen bases and a 47:58 BB:K over 96 games between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso this season. Salas is likely to see the bulk of the starts at catcher down the stretch for the Padres.

Baldwin went 1-for-4 with an RBI double during Tuesday's 9-5 loss to Washington.

Baldwin cut Atlanta's deficit to 4-2 with an RBI double in the third inning. That double extended Baldwin's hitting streak to nine games, during which he has gone 15-for-38 (.395) with two home runs, six RBI and four doubles. His .813 OPS across 513 plate appearances is fourth-best among qualified catchers behind Hunter Goodman, Gabriel Moreno and Liam Hicks.

The Giants recalled Morgan from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Morgan was up with the Giants for a day Aug. 10 but was sent back down the next day. After getting sent back down, he got three hits in 21 at-bats with two RBI in seven games for Triple-A Sacramento. The 26-year-old is getting recalled Tuesday as rosters expand in September.