MLB Player News

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.

Nola is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Nola and Jorge Alfaro have alternated starts behind the plate over the past seven games, and that trend will continue Wednesday after Nola went 1-for-3 with a walk Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Diaz isn't starting Thursday against Atlanta, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Diaz went 3-for-15 with two RBI, a walk and four strikeouts over his last five games, and he'll be out of the lineup Thursday for the fourth time in the Colorado's past six contests. Brian Serven will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

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

Narvaez will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games since left-hander Sean Manaea is on the mound for San Diego. Victor Caratini will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Casali is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After starting in four of the previous five games, Casali looks to have leapfrogged Joey Bart on the depth chart at catcher, but the young backstop will get a turn behind the dish in the series opener in Miami. Over 76 plate appearances this season, Casali has produced a .250/.316/.456 slash line.