MLB Player News

Knizner went 3-for-5 with two RBI in a 10-1 win Friday in Milwaukee.

In his second start of the season, Knizner had a two-run single in the four-run first inning and added two more singles later in the game. After compiling just 20 RBI in 89 games in his first three big-league seasons, the 27-year-old has picked up five RBI in his first two contests of 2022. While he hasn't yet consistently hit well in the majors, he does have a career .303/.369/.461 in the minor leagues.

Bart went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Friday's 4-1 win over Cleveland.

Bart added a pair of insurance runs with his shot off Anthony Castro in the eighth inning. It was his second home run of the year and he's now slashing .333/.455/.722 through 22 plate appearances. Bart has yet to hit above seventh in the lineup this season, but that could change soon if his bat stays hot.

Stephenson will be on the bench for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Stephenson has handled a heavy workload behind the plate thus far this season, starting six of the first seven games prior to his day off Friday. He's gotten off to a good start offensively, homering twice and posting a .910 OPS in 25 plate appearances. Aramis Garcia will take over Friday, catching Vladimir Gutierrez.

Nola isn't starting Friday's game against Atlanta.

Nola went 1-for-4 with three runs, an RBI, a stolen base and a walk Thursday, and he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Jorge Alfaro will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Realmuto isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

Realmuto drew starts in each of the last four games and went 8-for-16 with a homer, a double, three runs, two RBI and a stolen base. He'll get a breather while Garrett Stubbs starts behind the dish and bats eighth.

Nola went 1-for-4 with three runs, an RBI, a stolen base and a walk in Thursday's 12-1 victory against Atlanta.

Nola also reached based on a hit-by-pitch, and he scored three of the team's 12 runs in the rout. The catcher picked up a rare theft in the sixth inning as part of a double steal with Manny Machado. It was just the second stolen base of Nola's career and first since his rookie 2019 campaign.

Leon signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Leon opted out of his contract with the Guardians at the end of March after failing to land a spot on the team's Opening Day roster, and he'll now presumably head to Triple-A Louisville. He appeared in 84 major-league games with the Marlins last year and should be one of the top candidates to be called up if Tyler Stephenson or Aramis Garcia deal with injuries this year.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional RBI in Thursday's 9-3 win over the Reds.

Smith drove in a run with an infield single in the first inning, and he got a little help with his three-run homer in the seventh. The ball hit off the top of the outfield wall and bounced off the back of Jake Fraley's glove, careening over the fence for a home run. The long ball was Smith's first this season and doubled his RBI total from three to six. The backstop is slashing .267/.353/.533 through 17 plate appearances.

Narvaez went 2-for-4 with with a solo home run and two RBI during Thursday's win against the Cardinals.

Narvaez provided instant offense when he took Adam Wainwright yard in the second inning to record his first homer of the season. One frame later, he added an RBI double to put the Brewers up 3-0. Thursday's effort was the first notable offensive production of the campaign for Narvaez, as he entered the game with one hit in eight at-bats.

Gomes will start at catcher and bat sixth Thursday against the Rockies.

Gomes will crack the lineup for only the second time in six games this season while No. 1 backstop Willson Contreras gets a breather. The Cubs have been running out a designated-hitter platoon of Rafael Ortega and Clint Frazier, so Gomes' opportunities are expected to remain limited while Contreras continues to play exclusively at catcher.