MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith will get what looks like a routine rest day after catching the first two games after the break, as well as several innings for the National League in the All-Star Game. Austin Barnes will catch for starter Bobby Miller as Max Muncy moves up to the three hole against right-hander Max Scherzer.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Contreras has collected multiple hits in four of his last five games and is slashing .514/.600/.919 over his last 11 contests. The Cardinals are now carrying three catchers with Andrew Knizner (groin) back from the injured list, but Contreras seems to have regained his confidence and should have the clear edge in terms of playing time down the stretch.

Knizner (groin) was activated from the 10-day injured list and will start Sunday's game against the Nationals, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals will roll with three catchers for the time being, as Ivan Herrera remains on the roster despite Knizner's return. Knizner has popped a career-high five home runs, but even so his performance has graded out as replacement level across 35 games so far this season. He has negative fWAR for his career.

Moreno is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

The 23-year-old started Friday in the Diamondbacks' first game back from the break and extracted a bit of revenge against the team that traded him this past winter, homering as part of a two-hit effort. However, that was not enough to earn him another start in the series. Carson Kelly will catch for starter Tommy Henry on Sunday.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Murphy will get a breather for the series finale after going 0-for-9 in his first two games back from the All-Star break. Of course Murphy didn't get much of a break -- he started the All-Star Game for the National League and caught several innings -- so he could probably use the day off more than most. Travis d'Arnaud will catch for starter Kolby Allard.

Herrera went 3-for-3 with a run scored and a hit-by-pitch in Saturday's 9-6 win over the Nationals.

Herrera has done everything asked of him so far, going 6-for-12 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored over his three games while filling in for Andrew Knizner (groin) on the 26-man roster. Herrera's playing time has been limited with Willson Contreras occupying a starting role, but John Denton of MLB.com reports manager Oliver Marmol is considering keeping three catchers around once Knizner is activated from the injured list.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's victory over the Reds.

Contreras clubbed his second long ball of July on Saturday via a solo homer off lefty Andrew Abbott in the fourth inning. The catcher extended his hit streak to nine games. Over that stretch, Contreras is batting 17-for-38 (.447) with seven RBI and seven runs scored. Entering Saturday's tilt, Contreras owned a massive .277 ISO against southpaws in 2023.

Contreras isn't in the Cardinals' lineup for Saturday's game against Washington, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

After a 2-for-4 performance that included a home run during Game 1 of Saturday's activities, Contreras will take a seat for the nightcap. Ivan Herrera will step in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Ruiz isn't in the Nationals' lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against St. Louis, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

After a 1-for-4 performance in Game 1 of Saturday's action, Ruiz will take a seat for the nightcap. Riley Adams will start behind the plate and bat seventh in Ruiz's place.

Realmuto isn't in the Phillies' lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After an 0-for-4 performance in Game 1, Realmuto will get a breather for Game 2 while Garrett Stubbs starts behind the dish and bats eighth.