MLB Player News

Casali (concussion) has made good progress in recent days and could be activated from the 7-day injured list this weekend, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Casali has yet to formally clear MLB's concussion protocol, but he looks like he might be able to do so by the time he's first eligible to return from the IL on Saturday. Prior to sustaining the head injury, Casali appeared to be moving into a timeshare at catcher with the struggling Joey Bart, who is hitting .171 on the season.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Stephenson started in each of the Reds' last seven games and was behind the plate for six of those contests, so he'll get a well-earned breather Wednesday. Aramis Garcia will catch for starting pitcher Luis Castillo.

Smith isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith has recorded hits in his last six games, and he's hit .261 with two homers, a double, four runs and three RBI during that time. However, Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate and bat ninth Wednesday.

Nido is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Nido will take a seat for Wednesday's matinee game after he started behind the plate in Tuesday's 13-12 loss and went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Patrick Mazeika will draw the starting nod at catcher, forming a battery with pitcher Thomas Szapucki in the lefty's first MLB start.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

After going 2-for-5 with a double, a run and his first stolen base of the season in Tuesday's loss, Ruiz looks to be getting a breather with the Nationals and Dodgers wrapping up their series with a day game after a night game. Riley Adams will fill in for him behind the plate, while Lane Thomas replaces Ruiz as the Nationals' No. 2 hitter.

Perez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale versus the Rockies.

After going 0-for-6 over the last two contests, Perez will receive a day off Wednesday. Tyler Heineman will get the start at catcher and bat ninth in the game.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh.

The Rockies are wrapping up their series in Pittsburgh with a day game after a night game, so Diaz will get a breather after he was behind the plate for both of the past two contests. Brian Serven will handle catching duties Wednesday and bat ninth.

Marchan (hamstring) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at High-A Jersey Shore on Wednesday.

Marchan has been cleared for his first game action of the season after spending the past seven weeks on the 60-day injured list while recovering from a left hamstring strain. The Phillies will likely use close to the entire 20-day rehab window to evaluate Marchan before eventually activating him from the IL. He could be option to Triple-A Lehigh Valley once he's formally reinstated, as Garrett Stubbs has performed well in limited opportunities as the Phillies' No. 2 catcher behind J.T. Realmuto.

Bart is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Mets, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bart started the past two games and will take a seat after going 1-for-5 with three strikeouts. Mike Papierski will start behind the plate Tuesday, forming a battery with Logan Webb.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.

Narvaez has only five plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season and will head to the bench Tuesday with lefty Blake Snell starting for the Friars. Victor Caratini will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.