• Two hits, two RBI in win
    Stephenson went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Dodgers.

    Advice: Stephenson produced runs in his first two plate appearances, singling in the first inning then doubling home the eventual game-winning run in the third. Both runs were scored by Elly De La Cruz, who had stolen bases prior to each of Stephenson's at-bats. The backstop has multiple hits in three straight games, going 7-for-13 with three doubles, two RBI and three runs scored. A lack of production from the middle of the order early in the season prompted Reds manager David Bell to move Stephenson up, and he has slotted in anywhere from third to sixth over his last 13 starts. Rotowire.com Today, 6:01 am
  • Diaz knocks in three Thursday
    Yainer Diaz went 1-for-4 with a double, 3 RBI and a run scored against the Athletics on Thursday.

    Advice: Diaz opened the scoring with a bases-clearing double in the third inning off Joey Estes and the route was on from there. He hit 23 home runs in 104 games last year, but his power is noticeably down this year. His .119 ISO is well below his .256 ISO from last year. Diaz doesn’t walk often, but has cut his strikeout percentage to 13 percent so far this year. He’s not going to fall off a cliff if that keeps up, but he’s not exactly delivering on his lofty preseason draft price so far either. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:10 pm
    Yainer DiazHOU - C,1B
    5:10 pm vs MIL
     
  • Gets breather Thursday
    Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game versus Cincinnati.

    Advice: After going 5-for-12 with three RBI and two runs scored during the Dodgers' last series with the Giants, Smith will get a day off during Thursday's series opener. Austin Barnes will take his place behind the dish and bat ninth. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:08 pm
     
  • Taking seat Thursday
    Langeliers is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Houston.

    Advice: It's a routine day off for Langeliers after he started each of the last four days behind the plate. Kyle McCann will do the catching for Joey Estes on Thursday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:25 pm
  • Not starting Thursday
    Nido isn't in the Mets' lineup Thursday versus Philadelphia.

    Advice: Nido will catch a breather after going 2-for-4 with an RBI during Wednesday's loss. Omar Narvaez will fill in at catcher while batting ninth. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:54 am
     
  • Idle Thursday
    Wong isn't in the Red Sox's lineup for Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

    Advice: Wong will take a seat for Thursday's series finale after going 3-for-11 with an RBI through the first three games against the Rays. Reese McGuire will start instead behind the plate and bat seventh. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:38 am
     
  • Keibert Ruiz feels he needs “a better plan”
    According to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, Keibert Ruiz is going back to the drawing board to try and break out of his slump.

    Advice: It’s been a rough start to the season for Ruiz, who missed two weeks because of a nasty case of the flu and now has put up a .393 OPS in 90 plate appearances, which among the 270 major leaguers who have taken at least 90 plate appearances so far this season, ranks dead-last in baseball. “I’ve got to sit down, relax, think a little bit better and swing at better pitches,” said Ruiz. “A better plan. And just stay with it. Don’t go out of the plan. Don’t chase for results. Just have a plan, and whatever happens, happens.” Ruiz is currently chasing pitches out of the zone less than before and making far more contact than last year. He’s also pulling the ball at the same rate and swinging and missing less, so it might not be what pitches he’s swinging at as much as it’s what he’s trying to do on those pitches. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:13 am
     
  • Closing in on rehab stint
    Murphy (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment next week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: The catcher has been out since Opening Day after suffering an oblique strain, and Atlanta has taken things slowly with him so far. Murphy now appears to be in the final stages of his recovery, but given the amount of time he's missed, his rehab assignment could last more than just a few days. Travis d'Arnaud will continue handling catching duties until Murphy returns, backed up by Chadwick Tromp. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:34 am
    Sean MurphyATL - C
    4:20 pm vs SD
     
  • Homers vs. Pittsburgh
    Sanchez went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Pirates.

    Advice: Sanchez extended Milwaukee's lead to 10-2 in the third inning with a two-run blast off Martin Perez, his sixth long ball of the year. The 31-year-old Sanchez has gotten steady playing time against left-handed pitching, either spelling William Contreras behind the plate or at DH. Sanchez has swung the bat well recently, going 8-for-26 with three homers and a 1.033 OPS over his last eight games. Overall, he's slashing .243/.317/.527 with 13 RBI and 11 runs scored through 82 plate appearances this season. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:21 am