MLB Player News

Nola went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to the Rockies.

Nola sent Luke Voit home on a two-run shot in the eighth inning, but the Padres were two far behind and ended up with the loss. The home run was Nola's second of the year and his first since April 11. Perhaps things are turning around for the catcher as he is on a five-game hitting streak and has raised his batting average from .219 to .229 during that span.

d'Arnaud went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Sunday's win over the Cubs.

d'Arnaud launched a first-inning blast off Kyle Hendricks that sent Dansby Swanson and Matt Olson home and gave the Braves an early 3-0 lead. The catcher has 10 hits in nine games this month and bounced back well Sunday after ending a four-game hitting streak in his previous appearance. d'Arnaud is slashing .257/.302/.474 this season to go along with nine home runs.

Caratini went 2-for-2 with a homer, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and two RBI in a 6-3 win Sunday in Cincinnati.

Caratini reached base all four times he came to the plate and delivered a two-out, two-run homer in the fourth inning to give Milwaukee an early 3-0 lead. Over his last four starts, he is 8-for-13 with three extra-base hits and three walks. While he's primarily starting against left-handed pitching, the 28-year-old is making the most of his opportunities and has posted a career-high .843 OPS through 30 contests.

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

Elias Diaz will receive a turn behind the dish after Serven caught in five of the Rockies' previous six contests. Serven went 7-for-16 with two extra-base hits and three walks during that stretch to boost his season OPS to .923. So long as he's wielding a hot bat, Serven should continue to play regularly over Diaz.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

The lefty-hitting Narvaez will retreat to the bench for the series finale, allowing Victor Caratini to pick up a turn behind the plate while southpaw Mike Minor takes the hill for the Reds. Narvaez went 1-for-12 with a walk, two RBI and a run while starting in each of the Brewers' past three games.

Heineman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Heineman started in each of the Pirates' last three games, going 0-for-9 with a walk and a run scored. Michael Perez will spell Heineman behind the dish in the series finale.

Casali is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Casali returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing the Giants' previous three games due to a hamstring injury, and manager Gabe Kapler isn't yet comfortable letting the backstop play on consecutive days. Austin Wynns will thus pick up a start behind the plate in the series finale after Casali went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and a run while catching in Saturday's 7-5 win.

Knizner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Knizner has taken over as the Cardinals' No. 1 backstop in the wake of Yadier Molina (knee) landing on the injured list Friday, but the former will give way to Ivan Herrera behind the dish in the series finale in Boston. While starting in both of the first two games of the series, Knizner went 1-for-6 with a double, two walks, two runs and an RBI.

Contreras went 3-for-5 with a double, a steal, a run and an RBI Saturday against Atlanta.

This was Contreras' third steal of the season, which ties him with Keibert Ruiz for fourth among all catchers -- J.T. Realmuto has eight while Daulton Varsho and Christian Bethancourt have four apiece. Contreras is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak.

Smith was added to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Guardians, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The 27-year-old was initially slated to get a day off Saturday, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat third after Mookie Betts (rib) was scratched from the lineup for a second consecutive game. Smith has slashed .268/.318/.537 with three home runs, two doubles, six RBI and five runs over the last 10 games.