MLB Player News

Barnes went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in a 2-1 victory against the Brewers on Wednesday.

Barnes started in place of No. 1 catcher Will Smith, and he produced the first run of the contest with a solo shot to center field in the sixth inning. It was the first home run for the backstop since he went deep against Philadelphia on May 21. Barnes has had a rough season at the plate but has been better of late, slashing .280/.333/.440 over his past seven games.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Perez (hamstring) may receive full medical clearance for the start of winter ball, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

After undergoing surgery May 20 to repair a ruptured right hamstring, Perez won't be a candidate to return from the 60-day IL before the end of the season, but his projected 6-to-9-month recovery timeline gives him a chance at being ready to play in December. The native Puerto Rican could elect to play winter ball on his home island or perhaps elsewhere in Latin America this winter with the hope of proving his health and securing a contract with an MLB team ahead of spring training. The 33-year-old backstop posted a .700 OPS in 69 plate appearances for the Pirates before sustaining the season-ending injury.

Bart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bart is in the midst of an eight-game hit streak during which he's gone 15-for-31 with two home runs, five RBI and five runs, and he'll take a seat for Wednesday's contest. Austin Wynns will step in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Caratini is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Caratini will give way to Mario Feliciano behind the dish after catching in the first two games of the series. Though he remains atop the depth chart for now, Caratini could soon fade to the No. 2 role after top backstop Omar Narvaez (quadriceps) began a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday.

Smith isn't starting Wednesday against the Brewers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith is getting a day off after he went 0-for-7 with an RBI and a walk over the last two games. Austin Barnes is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

The Pirates optioned Godoy to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Godoy will lose his spot on the 26-man active roster with the Pirates bringing back fellow catcher Tyler Heineman (groin) from the 10-day injured list. During his abbreviated stay with the big club after he was claimed off waivers from the Twins earlier this month, Godoy went 0-for-7 with an RBI over four games.

The Pirates reinstated Heineman (groin) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports. He'll be on the bench Wednesday against the Red Sox and left-hander Rich Hill.

Pittsburgh optioned catcher Jose Godoy to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear space on the active roster for Heineman, who had been sidelined since Aug. 4 with a right groin strain. Now that he's healthy again, the switch-hitting Heineman could occupy the larger side of a platoon at catcher with the righty-hitting Jason Delay, though neither backstop profiles as an especially appealing fantasy option.

D'Arnaud isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets.

D'Arnaud is getting a breather after he went 3-for-8 with a home run, three RBI, two runs and a strikeout over the last two games. William Contreras will start behind the dish while Eddie Rosario serves as the designated hitter.

Ruiz (head/knee) is starting Wednesday against the Cubs, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz was out of the lineup Tuesday after he took multiple foul tips in his catcher's mask and one in his right knee Monday. However, he appeared off the bench in Tuesday's extra-innings loss to the Cubs and went 1-for-2 with a walk. He's starting behind the plate and batting fifth Wednesday.

Contreras isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Contreras went 0-for-9 with a run, an RBI and four strikeouts over the last two games and will take a seat for Wednesday's series finale in Washington. Yan Gomes is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.