MLB Player News

Contreras went 3-for-3 with one double, a home run, a walk, five RBI and two runs scored in Friday's loss against the Royals.

Contreras' three-run double put the Cardinals on the board in the third and his two-run homer in the ninth served as the final runs the Cards would score on the night. Following a stretch where he reached base in 35 of his 64 plate appearances in July, Contreras has remained hot in August with a .370 average to go along with two home runs and eight RBI.

Caratini went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the White Sox.

Caratini contributed to Milwaukee's cause by reaching base three times, including his sixth home run of the season. The homer was the first since July 6 for the part-timer, who has produced a respectable .325 on-base percentage in 169 plate appearances.

Casali (foot) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Casali landed on the injured list July 24 with a bruised left foot and is now set to begin the final stage of his recovery process. The Reds were carrying three catchers prior to Casali getting injured, so it's possible he gets optioned to Louisville upon being reinstated so Cincinnati can maintain a traditional two-catcher roster.

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup Friday against the Mets, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy will catch a breather Friday despite being on a four-game hitting streak. Travis d'Arnaud will take over behind the plate and bat fifth while Murphy rests.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday agaisnt the Pirates.

Stephenson is just 1-for-16 with six strikeouts across his last five games, so he'll get a day off to regroup. Luke Maile will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Realmuto went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and two walks in Thursday's 6-2 victory over Washington.

The 32-year-old backstop swatted an opposite-field, two-run homer off Joe La Sorsa in the seventh inning, extending Philadelphia's lead to 6-1. Realmuto's season-long batting average now sits at .246, well below his career .273 mark, but he's added 14 home runs, 22 doubles, five triples, 46 RBI, 48 runs and 12 steals through 99 games this year.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-2 victory versus the Rays.

Knizner got the scoring started in the contest, belting a two-run shot in the fourth inning. He added a single for his fourth multi-hit effort over his past seven games. Knizner has been red-hot during that stretch, notching at least one hit in each contest and posting a .444 batting average along with four homers, nine RBI and five runs.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Thursday against the Rockies.

Smith is currently enjoying a seven-game hitting streak but will get a breather for Thursday's series opener with the Rockies. Austin Barnes will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Contreras is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Rays.

This looks to be a routine day of rest for Contreras, who has slashed .394/.482/.662 with four homers and seven doubles over his last 23 games (85 plate appearances) dating back to July 3. Andrew Knizner is catching and Nolan Arenado is serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter. Taylor Motter will play third base.

Murphy is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Pittsburgh, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud have split starts at catcher pretty evenly over the last couple weeks. It's also a day game after a night game, so d'Arnaud will be behind the plate after Murphy caught Wednesday.