MLB Player News

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Athletics.

Stephenson extended his hitting streak to 13 games, a span in which he's gone 20-for-51 (.392) with three homers, five doubles, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored. This was his fifth multi-hit effort during the streak. Stephenson is up to a .265/.341/.478 slash line with 18 homers, 55 RBI, 62 runs scored, 23 doubles and one stolen base over 113 contests this season. He's been held hitless just four times over 23 games in August.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

After starting seven of the Dodgers' last eight games, Smith will get a chance to rest Thursday as Austin Barnes (toe) starts behind the dish in his first game back from the injured list.

The Dodgers optioned Feduccia to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Feduccia was brought up from the minors Aug. 19 to serve as extra catching depth while Austin Barnes (toe) was on the injured list. Now that Barnes has returned to the active roster, Feduccia will head back to Triple-A after appearing in one game, during which he went 1-for-2 with a walk.

The Dodgers reinstated Barnes (toe) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Barnes landed on the injured list Aug. 19 due to a fracture of his left big toe, though he will now return to the active roster following a minimum-length stay. The 34-year-old backstop has slashed .241/.318/.284 with eight RBI across 131 plate appearances while serving as Will Smith's backup, and his return will push Hunter Feduccia back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a run in Thursday's 6-0 win over the Giants.

The Brewers pulled out a play straight out of little league on Thursday. With runners on first and third and two outs, Willy Adames took off from first and got caught in a rundown to allow Contreras to score from third. Contreras has now tied a career high with six steals. He remains one of the premier players at his position and carries a .285/.361/.466 slash line with 18 homers through 129 games this season.

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup Thursday against the Phillies.

Murphy has gone 3-for-18 with eight strikeouts over his last five games, and he'll now take a seat Thursday while Travis d'Arnaud catches for Charlie Morton.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup for Thursday's game against Arizona.

After logging a base hit and an RBI in both of the first two games of the series, Alvarez will now take a seat for Thursday's finale. Luis Torrens will catch instead for left-hander David Peterson and bat ninth.

Castillo is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

The Mets are starting a southpaw (David Peterson) for the second time in the series, and the left-handed hitting Castillo has been on the bench both times. Switch hitter Jose Herrera will handle catching duties for the Diamondbacks.

Fortes is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Rockies.

Fortes started two of the first three games of the series but will take a seat in Thursday's matinee. Ali Sanchez will fill in at catcher for the Marlins.

Casali is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

After making three consecutive starts at catcher, Casali will now hit the bench for the second day in a row. Casali should continue to find himself out of the lineup with more regularity moving forward after the Giants activated No. 1 backstop Patrick Bailey (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.