• Not close to return
    Manager Bud Black said that Diaz (calf) will be out for at least another week Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Diaz has resumed baseball activities but is not sprinting at full speed and is still experiencing soreness. The Rockies have stressed the importance of Diaz returning at full strength, so his absence could extend into the middle of July. Jacob Stallings should remain the team's primary catcher in the meantime. Rotowire.com Today, 6:45 am
     
  • Productive in backup duties
    Salazar went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Rockies.

    Advice: Salazar was recalled June 11 to serve as depth behind the plate as Houston dealt with injuries to their top two catchers. With Victor Caratini (hip) likely sidelined through the All-Star break, Salazar should get a few starts per week for the foreseeable future. He's gone 5-for-11 with three runs scored and four RBI since being promoted. Rotowire.com Today, 6:33 am
  • Sent outright to Triple-A
    The Marlins outrighted Bethancourt to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

    Advice: Bethancourt cleared waivers after exiting the Marlins' 40-man roster a week ago. The catcher can elect free agency if he wants, and it's not yet clear whether he'll take that option or accept an outright assignment. Rotowire.com Today, 6:30 am
  • Racks up two homers, six RBI
    Higashioka went 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI in Wednesday's 8-5 win against the Nationals.

    Advice: Higashioka drove in all but two of San Diego's eight runs. He swatted a two-run homer to kick off the scoring in the second inning and capped his offensive outburst with a grand slam in the eighth. The grand slam was the first of Higashioka's career, while the multi-homer effort was his fifth as a big leaguer. He's hitting only .207 on the season but has otherwise provided good production with eight homers and 20 RBI in 32 games. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:11 pm
  • Drives in two in Wednesday's win
    Fermin went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Marlins.

    Advice: The Royals' offense was stuck in neutral until the eighth inning, but Fermin capped a five-run outburst with a two-run single. The 29-year-old had been on the bench the prior three games with Michael Massey serving as the DH in his return from a lower-back strain, which kept Salvador Perez behind the plate. But playing time should open up for Fermin again once Massey is ready to resume defensive duties at second base. On the season, Fermin is slashing .294/.340/.434 with four homers, 18 RBI and 21 runs in 48 contests. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:03 pm
  • Higashioka homers twice, plates six to lead Padres
    Kyle Higashioka had a monster day at the dish in Wednesday’s 8-5 victory over the Nationals, going 3-for-6 with a pair of homers, three runs scored and six RBI.

    Advice: The 34-year-old backstop got the scoring started in the ballgame with a 386-foot (107.2 mph EV) two-run blast off of Nationals’ southpaw DJ Herz in the second inning. He then singled and scored on an RBI knock by Jurickson Profar in the fourth. Higashioka then capped off the afternoon with a 390-foot (104.2 mph EV) grand slam off of Tanner Rainey in the eighth that made it 8-0 put the game out of reach. He’s now slashing .207/.240/.522 with eight homers and 20 RBI on the season. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:47 pm
  • Draws start in series finale
    Barnes will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

    Advice: He'll be making his 22nd start of the season while top backstop Will Smith rests in the series finale. Over 74 plate appearances on the campaign, Barnes is hitting .203 with no home runs and two RBI. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:25 pm
  • Freddy Fermin plates two in win over Marlins
    Freddy Fermin went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI on Wednesday, lifting the Royals to a 5-1 comeback win over the Marlins.

    Advice: Fermin capped off Kansas City’s five-run explosion in the eighth inning with a two-run single off Marlins reliever JT Chargois. The 29-year-old backstop has really turned it on lately, batting .341 (30-for-88) with three homers and 16 RBI over his last 30 games. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:25 pm
  • Nick Fortes plates lone run in loss to Royals
    Nick Fortes delivered an RBI single on Wednesday in the Marlins’ loss to the Royals.

    Advice: Fortes’ second-inning single off Royals starter Brady Singer accounted for their lone tally on Wednesday afternoon in a low-scoring showdown at Kauffman Stadium. The 27-year-old backstop boasts a .419 OPS with two homers in 157 plate appearances over 58 games this season. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:25 pm