MLB Player News

Bart went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Orioles.

Incredibly, Bart went yard on his very first swing as a member of the Pirates -- his first home run in the big leagues since Sept. 10, 2022, as noted by Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Bart, the second overall pick by the Giants in 2018, struggled to find his footing in parts of fours seasons in San Francisco, but he's getting a fresh start in Pittsburgh after being acquired via trade this week. He will play behind Henry Davis at the catcher position with Yasmani Grandal (foot) on the injured list and not close to a return.

Bailey isn't in the Giants' lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Patrick will get a breather Saturday after going 1-for-3 during Friday's win in the series opener. Tom Murphy will instead get the nod to start behind the plate and bat eighth.

Contreras (hand) was scratched from the Cardinals' lineup ahead of Saturday's game against Miami, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Contreras was originally slated to serve as St. Louis' designated hitter Saturday, but he is evidently still bothered by his left hand after getting hit by a pitch Wednesday against the Padres. The decision to remove him from the lineup seems to be a precautionary measure, and the 31-year-old backstop should still be considered day-to-day. Alec Burleson will fill in as the replacement DH on Saturday.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Saturday versus the Cubs, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith will catch a breather after going 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored during Friday's loss in the series opener. Austin Barnes will fill in behind the plate Saturday and bat ninth.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.

Alvarez has swung a hot bat to begin the year, going 8-for-24 with a homer and four RBI across his first seven games. Omar Narvaez will start behind the plate and bat ninth while the 22-year-old backstop sits.

Bethancourt isn't in the Marlins' lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

Bethancourt went 0-for-3 in Thursday's series opener and remains hitless through 13 plate appearances to begin the season. Nick Fortes will get the nod behind the dish instead and bat ninth.

Contreras (hand) is in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Contreras sat out Thursday's series opener versus Miami after getting hit in the hand by a pitch Wednesday. He managed to avoid a fracture and will now return as St. Louis' DH while Ivan Herrera starts behind the dish.

Smith went 4-for-5 with a double, a run and an RBI in Friday's loss to the Cubs.

Smith continues to hit the ball well early in the campaign, as he's slashing .459/.488/.568 through 41 plate appearances. Though he's yet to go deep, the All-Star catcher has collected four doubles and eight RBI. Smith and teammate Mookie Betts are tied for the MLB lead with 17 hits.

The Cubs signed Sanchez to a minor-league deal Friday, per the MLB transaction report.

Sanchez joined the Pirates on a one-year contract in December, but he was DFA'd by the team March 28 after going 2-for-16 in spring training. The veteran catcher will now provide organizational depth behind the plate as a member of the Cubs.

Murphy (oblique) has yet to resume swinging a bat, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy is a week removed from suffering a Grade 1 left oblique strain and is not feeling well enough yet to be cleared to swing. He is eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list April 9, but it would appear highly unlikely that he will be ready by then. Travis d'Arnaud is filling in at catcher for Atlanta while Murphy is on the shelf.