MLB Player News

Knizner is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.

With Willson Contreras back behind the plate Monday for the first time since May 4, Knizner will retreat to the bench, ending a stretch of nine consecutive starts for the 28-year-old backstop. Despite Contreras' struggles with adapting to the St. Louis pitching staff in his first season with the team, the Cardinals have seemingly reaffirmed their commitment to him as their primary catcher. With that in mind, Knizner is expected to see his playing time take a big hit, even though he held his own defensively and at the plate (.281 average, six extra-base hits) during his nine-game starting run.

Contreras is starting at catcher and batting fifth Monday versus the Brewers, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Contreras is starting at catcher for the first time since May 4 following a run at designated hitter while the team asked him to work on his defense. He'll be tasked with helping to coax better results out of right-hander Jack Flaherty, who brings a 6.18 ERA into his start Monday.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Diaz started behind the plate each of the past three days, so he's presumably just getting a routine breather as the Rockies open a three-game series with the Reds. Austin Wynns will catch for starting pitcher Connor Seabold on Monday.

Knizner went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Red Sox.

Knizner got a short run as the Cardinals' primary catcher over the last week, and he went 7-for-26 (.269) with a homer, four doubles, four RBI and five runs scored over the last seven games. Willson Contreras is expected to resume catching duties Monday, so Knizner's playing time is likely to drop off a bit again. The veteran backup has a .213/.238/.377 slash line with two homers, six RBI, eight runs scored and four doubles through 64 plate appearances this year.

Realmuto (finger) went 2-for-4 with a double in Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Rockies.

Realmuto missed one game with a sprained right pinkie finger. He was one of three Phillies with multiple hits and the only one to log an extra-base hit in the tough loss. He played the full game at catcher, so he should be good to resume his starting role going forward. Realmuto has hit safely in seven straight games, going 9-for-24 (.375), raising his season slash line to .291/.311/.496. He's added three home runs, 15 RBI, 13 runs scored, five stolen bases, 11 doubles and three triples through 34 contests overall.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's regularly scheduled game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz played out the final five-plus frames of Saturday's suspended game and finished 2-for-4 with a double, and it's not a surprise he's out of the starting nine for Sunday's full contest. Riley Adams will step in behind the plate, batting ninth.

Nola is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Nola will sit for the second time in the three-game series against the Dodgers. Brett Sullivan will handle backstop duties and hit ninth against Tony Gonsolin and the Los Angeles pitching staff.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Royals.

Contreras is mired in a 1-for-12 mini-slump and will take a seat Sunday after starting the previous three games. Victor Caratini will step in behind the plate to catch Colin Rea.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Smith will get a chance to rest after starting and picking up hits in the first two games of the series against San Diego. Austin Barnes will be behind the plate for the Dodgers and hit ninth in the series finale.

Realmuto (finger) will start at catcher and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Realmuto returns to the lineup after he missed Saturday's 7-4 win over the Rockies while tending to a sprained right pinkie finger. The backstop has performed well in May, slashing .296/.310/.556 through his first eight games of the month.