Smith went 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs and two RBI in Friday's 9-5 win against Pittsburgh.

Smith's third-inning two-run single wasn't well-struck -- it was a blooper that landed in right field on a check swing -- but it was a big moment for the catcher given his post-break slump that had included a .096 batting average and 32.2 percent strikeout rate over his previous 13 contests. The recent punchouts have been particularly out of character for the All-Star backstop, whose strikeout rates have been 16.6 and 16.1 percent in the past two seasons, respectively. Smith's slump has brought his season slash line down to .247/.327/.433, and his .760 OPS is on pace for a career-worst mark. He's still been among the most productive fantasy performers at his position, though, with 15 home runs, 60 RBI and 54 runs over 407 plate appearances on the campaign.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, two home runs and four RBI in Friday's 8-5 win over the Royals.

The veteran backstop bookended a big day for the Cardinals' offense by launching a two-run homer off Michael Lorenzen in the first inning and a solo shot off Angel Zerpa in the ninth. With the performance, Contreras snapped an 11-game homer drought, a stretch in which he hit just .146 (6-for-41) with one RBI. On the season, he has 15 doubles, 15 home runs and 34 RBI in 72 contests, and Contreras' .875 OPS would be his highest mark since 2019.

Bart went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Friday's 9-5 loss to the Dodgers.

Bart remains hot at the plate, with four homers and 10 RBI over his last seven contests. He's also posted a 1:7 BB:K in that span, but that's less of a concern when he's making such authoritative contact. For the year, the catcher is up to a .267/.349/.514 slash line with 10 homers, 32 RBI, 23 runs scored and six doubles over 49 contests. His career high in homers is 11 in 97 games with the Giants in 2022.

Del Castillo went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Friday's 3-2 win against the Phillies.

After collecting his first career hit in his debut Wednesday, the 24-year-old catcher topped it by taking Jeff Hoffman deep to right field for a 416-foot, walk-off homer Friday. Del Castillo opened the game's scoring earlier with a first-inning RBI single. After posting an impressive .319/.403/.608 slash line across 452 appearances at Triple-A Reno, Del Castillo could garner more starts at catcher and designated hitter while Gabriel Moreno (groin) is sidelined if he keeps producing performances like this one.

Bailey is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bailey will yield to Curt Casali, who was activated off the injured list Friday, behind the dish for the series opener against Detroit. Bailey is in the middle of a slump, having one hit and nine strikeouts in his last 30 at-bats.

The Giants reinstated Casali from the paternity list Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After staying at home during the Giants' three-game road series against the Nationals, Casali has rejoined the team in time for Friday's series opener against the Tigers. Jakson Reetz was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

The Giants optioned Reetz to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

The move makes room for the reinstatement of catcher Curt Casali from the paternity list. Reetz was called up from Sacramento on Tuesday. In his lone outing Thursday against the Nationals, Reetz went 1-for-2 with one double and one walk. In the minors this season, he's slashing .250/.362/.428 with five home runs and 31 RBI across 214 plate appearances.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup for Friday's game versus the Brewers.

Stepehnson will get a breather during Friday's series opener after going 6-for-18 with a homer and four RBI during a four-game set against Miami. Luke Maile will do the catching for right-hander Carson Spiers and bat ninth.

Herrera is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Adrian Del Castillo will start behind home plate Friday and bat fifth against Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler. Herrera went 1-for-3 with one strikeout in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

After catching back-to-back games, Higashioka will yield to Luis Campusano behind the dish Friday. During those two starts, Higashioka went 2-for-7 with a three-run homer and a stolen base.