MLB Player News

Contreras is not starting Sunday against the Astros, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Contreras is out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. On Sunday, Ronald Acuna will start at designated hitter with Robbie Grossman taking over in right field. Contreras isn't losing at-bats due to his level of play, as he has maintained a .270 average with three homers, six RBI and eight runs scored across 16 games in August.

Contreras went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an RBI single in Saturday's win over Milwaukee.

Contreras launched a two-run shot that scored Nick Madrigal in the fifth inning. He also knocked in Rafael Ortega for what would turn out to be the game-winning run on a single in the 11th inning. The home run was the 20th of the year for the catcher and comes two days after a two-homer outing against Baltimore. Contreras has gone 4-for-11 with no strikeouts over his last three games, raising his batting average to .250 for the year.

Bart went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's extra-inning loss to the Rockies.

Bart had gone 0-for-6 in two games since receiving an off day Wednesday. He snapped the skid in the sixth inning Saturday with a solo shot to get the Giants on the board. The catcher has gone 17-for-48 (.354) with four homers, eight RBI and seven runs scored in his last 14 games. For the season, Bart has a .228/.315/.407 slash line with 10 long balls, 21 RBI, 26 runs scored and two stolen bases, though he's clearly trending in the right direction as he gets more fully adjusted to major-league pitching.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and three runs scored in Saturday's 16-7 win over the Diamondbacks.

Knizner got the start behind the dish Saturday as Yadier Molina (personal) is away from the team. In his last 10 games, Knizner has delivered four multi-hit efforts with two doubles, two RBI and seven runs scored. The backup catcher is up to a .219/.311/.273 slash line with one home run, 19 RBI, 18 runs scored and seven doubles through 213 plate appearances this year. Molina is expected to rejoin the Cardinals on Monday, so Knizner's time as the No. 1 backstop is likely limited.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in a 7-0 win over Miami on Saturday.

Smith hit out of the cleanup spot as the Dodgers' DH in the contest while Austin Barnes started behind the plate. The decision to get Smith's bat into the lineup paid off quickly when he put the Dodgers on the board with a three-run blast to left field in the first inning. Smith is up to 18 homers on the campaign, and his 70 RBI leads all big-league catchers.

Herrera was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

With Yadier Molina traveling to Puerto Rico to handle personal matters, Herrera will join the team from the taxi squad as short-term catching depth. Herrera has been used sparingly during his major-league stints this year and he's struggled in limited action, going 2-for-18 with eight strikeouts.

D'Arnaud isn't in the lineup Saturday against Houston.

D'Arnaud will get another day off Saturday after also sitting out Wednesday against the Mets. William Contreras will take his place behind the dish.

Narvaez (quadriceps) was activated off the injured list as expected Saturday.

A strained quadriceps had kept Narvaez out since early August, but he's good to go now after going 3-for-8 in a pair of rehab games. Mario Feliciano was optioned to create room on the roster, leaving Victor Caratini to serve as Narvaez's lone backup behind the plate.

Realmuto will be on the bench for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Realmuto was never likely to catch two games in one day, and the Phillies will elect to give him a full rest in the afternoon game rather than using him as the designated hitter. Garrett Stubbs will start behind the plate, but expect Realmuto to return for the nightcap.

Ruiz went 2-for-2 with two walks, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Padres.

Ruiz got aboard four times, which included his third multi-hit effort in August. Through 18 games this month, he's gone 13-for-55 (.236) with four extra-base hits. The catcher lifted his slash line back up to .246/.311/.354 through 97 contests, and he's added six steals, six home runs, 32 RBI and 28 runs scored this year in a starting role.