MLB Player News

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Barnhart had drawn starts behind the dish on the last two occasions the Cubs opposed right-handed starting pitchers, but he'll take a seat Sunday against Marlins righty Bryan Hoeing, perhaps because the two teams are facing a quick turnaround for the series finale, which starts at 12:05 p.m. ET. Yan Gomes will catch for starting pitcher Justin Steele on Sunday.

Sabol went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additonal run scored in Saturday's 16-11 loss to San Diego.

Sabol tied the game in the seventh inning with a two-run shot. The 25-year-old has made a solid case for playing time behind the plate even when Joey Bart (groin) returns to the lineup, and he's 5-for-15 across his past four contests. Sabol has a .775 OPS with five home runs, 10 RBI and two steals in 20 games.

Rodriguez (forearm) was activated from the minor-league injured list with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

The 22-year-old switch hitter had a .263/.333/.456 slash line with three home runs and an 8:6 K:BB in 14 games before suffering a forearm strain. In addition to 12 starts behind the dish, Rodriguez made one start at first base and one start at designated hitter. He could get a call-up sometime in the coming weeks if he performs well.

Bart (groin) remains out of the lineup Saturday against the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bart has been sidelined since Monday due to tightness in his right groin, but he traveled with the Giants to Mexico City for this special two-game series and participated in a team workout Friday. Maybe he could be back in action Sunday. Blake Sabol will draw another start at catcher Saturday at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu.

Smith went 1-for-5 with two runs in a 7-3 win against the Cardinals on Friday.

Smith batted third as the Dodgers' designated hitter in his return from the injured list. He missed over two weeks while dealing with a concussion but didn't appear hampered at the plate Friday, putting the ball in play in each of his five plate appearances and reaching on an infield single in the fifth frame. Per Eric Stephen of SBNation.com, manager Dave Roberts suggested that Smith could DH again Saturday before potentially returning to backstop duties Sunday.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates.

Riley Adams will catch and bat eighth versus the Pirates and left-hander Rich Hill. Ruiz should be back in there for the later game against right-hander Vince Velasquez.

Smith (concussion) will be activated off the 7-day concussion list Friday and be in the lineup as the designated hitter against the Cardinals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith hasn't played since April 12 while dealing with a concussion, but the All-Star backstop is ready to roll for the series against the Cardinals. He should return to catching duties for the Dodgers within the next few days.

Bart (groin) ran on the field in Mexico on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants have a rare Friday off with the team playing a two-game series in Mexico starting Saturday against the Padres, but it's a positive sign that Bart was able to participate in some pregame activities. The backstop has been out of action with tightness in his right groin strain, and he has a chance to return to the lineup against San Diego over the weekend.

D'Arnaud (concussion) is traveling with Atlanta and taking regular batting practice, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

There remains no estimated timetable for his activation from the concussion IL, but d'Arnaud continues to take positive steps forward. He's been on the shelf since April 9 and figures to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment at some point because of the growing length of his absence.

Barnhart is not in the starting lineup Friday against Miami.

Barnhart will take a seat as the Cubs face off against left-hander Jesus Luzardo, with Yan Gomes behind the plate and batting eighth. Barnhart has produced just two hits over his last 18 at-bats while striking out nine times, so it's possible that Gomes, who's batting .257 with two homers and seven RBI over 35 at-bats versus righties this year, sees his workload increase.