MLB Player News

Murphy is out of the lineup Thursday against the Mets.

This would appear to be a routine day of rest for Murphy, who caught the first two games of Atlanta's three-game series versus New York. Travis d'Arnaud is starting behind the plate and batting cleanup.

Smith is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

It's a day game after a night game, so Smith will begin the afternoon on the bench. Austin Barnes will catch Clayton Kershaw.

Moreno is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Nationals.

Moreno was behind the plate for Wednesday's night game, so it's no surprise he's sitting out Thursday's afternoon tilt. Jose Herrera will catch Merrill Kelly.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two total runs and two total RBI in Thursday's loss to the Reds.

Smith had been uncharacteristically quiet at the plate over his past three games coming into Wednesday, going 1-for-11 with four strikeouts. The catcher got back on track with a pair of hits, including a two-run homer during the third inning. Smith is tied for fourth among catchers with nine long balls on the campaign, and he's staked a loud claim for his first All-Star selection with a .305/.407/.532 slash line along with 32 RBI, 31 runs, one steal and a sterling 28:19 BB:K.

Sanchez went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-3 victory over Seattle.

Sanchez extended the Padres' lead to 4-0 with a three-run, 414-foot shot off George Kirby with two outs in the third inning. The 30-year-old Sanchez has continued to mash with San Diego -- he's now 9-for-29 (.310) with four home runs and a 1.168 OPS through 32 plate appearances while seeing the majority of starts behind the plate.

Amaya is starting at catcher Wednesday against the Angels.

Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart will both ride the pine. Amaya has posted an .857 OPS through his first 29 major-league plate appearances this season with the Cubs and has now started four straight games between catcher and DH.

Contreras is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Orioles.

Victor Caratini is starting at catcher and Jon Singleton will serve as the Brewers' designated hitter against the O's and right-hander Dean Kremer. This looks to be a routine day off for Contreras, who caught all 10 innings of Tuesday night's 4-3 win for Milwaukee.

Barrera was outrighted to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Brian Walton of TheCardinalNation.com reports.

Barrera passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Saturday. The 28-year-old catcher drew only two plate appearances during his month-long stay on the major-league roster in St. Louis, largely because Willson Contreras was allowed to return to defensive duties.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Royals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Fortes gets a breather for the series finale after going 2-for-8 with two runs scored along with an RBI in the first two contests. Jacob Stallings will be behind the plate for Wednesday's game and hit eighth.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Diaz appears to be receiving a routine day off after he started in seven of the Rockies' previous eight games. Austin Wynns will handle the catching duties for Colorado on Wednesday.