MLB Player News

Nola isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Nola has gone 2-for-7 with a double, two RBI and two strikeouts across the last two games. Victor Caratini will catch right-hander Yu Darvish and bat eighth.

Contreras' knee sprain isn't considered a serious one, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The injury was bad enough to send him to the injured list, but the Cubs called that move precautionary. The team has little reason to risk any further injury for Contreras, who's one of the team's only remaining regulars following a major sell-off at the deadline. The team now sits 14 games out of a playoff spot and has very little to play for down the stretch, so the last thing they'll want to do is risk long-term injury to one of their best remaining players.

Realmuto passed his concussion tests Thursday and will be available off the bench against the Dodgers, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Realmuto took a pair of foul tips off his mask Wednesday and wound up leaving the game, but he appears to have avoided serious harm. While he's not in Thursday's lineup, he was probably due for an off day anyway, as he'd started six straight games behind the plate.

Barnhart will sit Thursday against Atlanta.

Barnhart sat in favor of Tyler Stephenson against every single lefty the Reds faced early in the season, and while the setup hasn't been quite as rigorous since the start of July, it's still usually been Stephenson behind the plate against southpaws. That will be the case Thursday as the Reds face lefty Kyle Muller.

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

Narvaez has gone 5-for-11 with two homers, seven RBI and four runs across his last three appearances. Manny Pina will take over behind the dish and bat seventh.

Contreras was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right knee sprain Thursday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Contreras went 0-for-2 with a strikeout Wednesday, and he's apparently dealing with a knee issue that will force him to miss additional time. It's not yet clear whether he'll be sidelined longer than the minimum of 10 days, but Robinson Chirinos is in line to see increased playing time, while Austin Romine (wrist) was also reinstated from the 60-day IL.

Alvarez went 3-for-4 with a homer, a walk, four RBI and two runs against High-A Wilmington on Wednesday.

While Alvarez is still hitting a fairly modest .243 with Brooklyn -- a far cry from his .417 mark with Low-A St. Lucie before being promoted -- he's put up a spectacular .341/.388/.756 line over his last 12 games. All in all, Alvarez has slammed 13 homers across 57 contests in High-A, and despite taking a golden sombrero on Sunday, he's been doing a great job cutting down on his swing-and-miss issues of late. There aren't a lot of truly special prospect bats that project to stick at catcher, but Alvarez is one of them -- arguably the best.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said d'Arnaud will be out of the lineup Thursday against the Reds for rest purposes, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

D'Arnaud was activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and started behind the plate in Atlanta's 8-6 win, going 1-for-4 with a walk. Because d'Arnaud caught all 11 innings in the victory and is fresh off an extended absence due to left thumb surgery, Atlanta is just looking to give him some extra maintenance. Stephen Vogt is expected to catch for starting pitcher Kyle Muller in the series finale.

Realmuto (head) will not start Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

Realmuto left Wednesday's game after taking a pair of foul tips off his mask and was evaluated for a concussion. It's possible that's the reason he's sitting Thursday, though he's started six straight games behind the plate, so he was probably due for a rest regardless of what happened Wednesday. Andrew Knapp will catch Ranger Suarez in his absence.

Smith will sit Thursday against the Phillies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith will get a rest after starting four straight games behind the plate. Austin Barnes will take over in his absence.