MLB Player News

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against the Dodgers.

Stephenson will catch a breather after going 1-for-6 across his last two games. Luke Maile will start behind the dish in Stephenson's place and bat ninth.

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup Saturday against the Brewers.

After going 1-for-4 and scoring a run during Friday's contest, Murphy will catch a breather Saturday. Travis d'Arnaud will take over behind the plate and bat fifth.

Contreras (head) will serve as the Cardinals' designated hitter Friday against the Cubs, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Although it doesn't seem Contreras is quite ready to get back behind the plate after getting hit in the head Thursday by Ian Happ's backswing, the Cardinals will keep his bat in the lineup. Andrew Knizner will start at catcher Friday and bat eighth.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Thursday's loss to the Cubs.

After replacing Willson Contreras (head) in the first inning, Knizner provided a lone bright spot for St. Louis in a lopsided 10-3 loss, driving in all three runs with a pair of homers. The 28-year-old catcher has three home runs in his last two games, giving him a career high of eight for the season. He's now slashing .234/.258/.469 with 23 RBI and 21 runs scored across 133 plate appearances this year. Contreras is expected to be ready to rejoin the Cardinals lineup Friday, though Knizner has certainly made a case for an expanded role.

Contreras (head) is expected to be in the lineup Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Contreras exited Thursday's game against the Cubs after being hit in the head by the backswing of Ian Happ. He passed a concussion test and his headaches have dissipated, clearing the path to his return to the lineup with a more protective mask.

Contreras exited Thursday's game against the Cubs due to a scalp laceration and is considered day-to-day, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Contreras was hit in the back of the head by Ian Happ's backswing in the first inning and immediately exited the game. A stint on the injured list certainly seems possible, but for now, the team is hoping he can return more quickly.

Contreras was removed from Thursday's game against the Cubs after getting hit in the head by Ian Happ's backswing, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Contreras was bleeding from the right side of his head and went through concussion protocols on the field before exiting with trainers. The Cardinals will take a closer look at Contreras and provide more information shortly, but it's possible the 31-year-old backstop misses a few games.

Pineda (oblique) will serve as the designated hitter Thursday with High-A Wilmington, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It will be Pineda's eighth total game on this current minor-league rehab assignment. He had to be pulled off a previous rehab stint in May because of a left oblique strain, but that injury seems to be fully in the rearview now. The 23-year-old catcher originally went on the major-league IL at the end of spring training because of a fractured finger.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup Thursday against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After going 1-for-4 and scoring a run Wednesday, Alvarez will get a breather for Thursday's series opener. Omar Narvaez will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-7 win over the Diamondbacks.

Knizner put the Cardinals ahead with an RBI single in the seventh inning, then added a two-run homer an inning later. The backup catcher has gone 3-for-14 with five RBI and three runs scored over four games since he returned from a groin injury July 16. Ivan Herrera is back with Triple-A Memphis, but Knizner is still likely to be limited to one or two games a week behind Willson Contreras. For the season, Knizner has a .226/.250/.419 slash line with a career-high six homers, 20 RBI, 19 runs scored and a stolen base through 129 plate appearances.