MLB Player News

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Perez had alternated starts behind the dish in recent matchups but will head to the minors after Tyler Heineman was reinstated from the family medical emergency list Friday. Perez should see more consistent playing time in the minors after he slashed .193/.227/.325 with two homers, seven RBI, four runs and a stolen base over 26 major-league games.

Heineman (personal) was reinstated from the family medical emergency list Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Heineman has been away since July 5 but will rejoin the team ahead of Friday's game against the Rockies. Although he isn't starting Friday, the 31-year-old will likely have a chance to serve as the Pirates' primary catcher after Michael Perez was sent down.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Stephenson started the last five games and hit .450 with a homer, a double, four RBI and three runs. Michael Papierski will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

D'Arnaud is not in the starting lineup for Friday's contest against the Nationals.

D'Arnaud will get a breather Friday after he went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's victory. William Contreras will replace him behind the plate and bat seventh against Washington.

Realmuto (personal) was reinstated from the restricted list Thursday.

Realmuto was among the players that were unable to travel for the Phillies' series at Toronto due to his vaccination status. However, with the team set to kick off a series against the Marlins on Friday, Realmuto will be in line to reclaim duties as the team's primary backstop.

Narvaez isn't starting Thursday's game against the Giants.

Narvaez went 0-for-6 with a strikeout over the last two games and will retreat to the bench with left-hander Carlos Rodon on the mound for the Giants on Thursday. Victor Caratini is starting behind the plate and batting fifth.

Nido isn't starting Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Nido went 1-for-12 with a run, a walk and two strikeouts over his last four matchups and will head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Patrick Mazeika is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres.

The Rockies' catching timeshare continues, as Diaz and Brian Serven have now alternated turns behind the dish over the past 10 games. Diaz has gone 5-for-19 with three doubles and a walk, so at this point, he appears to have done his part to ensure his playing time doesn't slip further.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored Wednesday against the Padres.

Diaz has enjoyed the start to the Rockies' current homestand, collecting multiple hits in each of his last two starts. Wednesday's performance also marked the first time this season that Diaz has tallied multiple extra-base knocks in a game. It's been a disappointing season overall for the veteran backstop, as he has a .219/.271/.348 line across 218 plate appearances and is entrenched in a timeshare with Brian Serven behind the plate in Colorado.

Perez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

The lefty-hitting Perez will take a seat with southpaw Braxton Garrett on the mound for Miami, marking the fourth time in the last five games the backstop has been out of the lineup. The Pirates appear content to roll out a strict platoon at catcher between Perez and the righty-hitting Jason Delay.