MLB Player News

Stallings is not in the starting lineup for Friday's contest versus the Giants.

Stallings will take a rest Friday after going 1-for-3 with an RBI in Thursday's game. Nick Fortes will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Ruiz is not in the starting lineup for Friday's contest against the Reds.

Ruiz will get a day off after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the loss to the Reds on Thursday. Riley Adams will get the start at catcher and bat seventh Friday.

Contreras (ankle), who isn't starting Friday against the Cardinals, will be available off the bench if needed, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old was hit by a pitch above his left ankle Thursday, but manager David Ross said that the backstop's absence from Friday's lineup is a scheduled day off. Even if Contreras doesn't appear off the bench Friday, Ross is confident that the catcher will be back in the lineup Saturday. P.J. Higgins will start behind the plate and bat seventh Friday.

D'Arnaud went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three runs scored and six RBI in Thursday's 13-6 rout of the Rockies.

The game featured 19 runs between the two squads, and d'Arnaud knocked in six of those with a two-run shot in the third inning and a grand slam in the fifth. The six RBI were a career high for the backstop, and this was the fourth multi-homer game of his career, per Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan Atlanta. D'Arnaud is up to six long balls and 23 RBI on the campaign while slashing .262/.293/.454 across 147 plate appearances.

Contreras (ankle) is not in the starting lineup for Friday's contest with the Cardinals.

The catcher was hit in the ankle with a pitch Thursday night, causing him to be unavailable Friday. Fortunately, X-rays came back negative and he is considered day-to-day. Contreras currently owns an eight-game hit streak, batting .367 with four homers, seven RBI, eight runs and a stolen base over those contests. P.J. Higgins will get the start behind the plate and bat seventh Friday.

McCann had his stitches removed earlier this week following surgery on his left hamate bone and is scheduled to begin hitting in the coming days, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The veteran catcher underwent the wrist surgery a little over two weeks ago, and getting his stitches out was the last step before he could begin swinging a bat again. McCann last played May 10 and will need a rehab assignment before rejoining the Mets' lineup, and as yet there's no clear target date for his return. Tomas Nido will continue to handle starting duties behind the plate in his absence.

Bart went 1-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Marlins.

Bart was the only Giant to reach base multiple times in the contest, which saw the visitors earn just six baserunners. The single snapped an 0-for-9 skid for the catcher, who had two walks and a run scored in that span. He's still slashing a meager .161/.305/.310 with four home runs, seven RBI, 12 runs scored and a stolen base in 105 plate appearances. With an abysmal 44.8 percent strikeout rate, Bart's struggling to make contact, though his 14.3 percent walk rate is solid. Without better hitting, he'll continue to see more of a timeshare role with Curt Casali behind the dish.

Contreras exited Thursday's game against the Cardinals after being hit by a pitch in the ankle, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

X-rays showed no structural damage, so Contreras can be considered day-to-day for the time being. The Cubs have a short turnaround before a day game on Friday, so it's likely that Contreras won't be in the lineup. P.J. Higgins would take over as the primary catcher if Contreras is in for a lengthy absence, as Yan Gomes (oblique) is also sidelined.

Nido is not in Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nido is receiving a regular day of rest after delivering a four-hit performance Wednesday. Patrick Mazeika will take over behind the dish and hit ninth.

Narvaez was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday.

Narvaez was already out of the lineup Thursday, but his absence will now be extended. That will leave Victor Caratini as the primary catcher in the short term. Alex Hall had his contract selected in a corresponding move, though Mario Feliciano or Alex Jackson will presumably join the team beginning Friday.