MLB Player News

Stallings isn't starting Saturday's game against the Reds.

Stallings has reached base in each of his last four appearances, and he went 4-for-13 with a double, two runs, an RBI and three walks during that time. Michael Perez will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Narvaez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Giants.

Narvaez went 0-for-3 in Friday's series opener, and he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Manny Pina will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Barrera isn't starting Saturday against Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Barrera went 0-for-6 with a run, an RBI, a walk and three strikeouts across the last two games. Riley Adams will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Barnhart went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 10-0 win over the Pirates.

He took JT Brubaker deep as part of a seven-run first inning for the Reds. Barnhart could remain behind the plate all weekend while Tyler Stephenson nurses a minor hamstring issue, but while the veteran catcher has gone yard in consecutive starts, his .214/.267/.357 slash line in 14 games since the All-Star break isn't very appealing from a fantasy standpoint.

D'Arnaud (thumb) won't return during the team's weekend series against the Nationals, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

While the team was initially hoping d'Arnaud would be able to return this weekend, he'll appear in three more rehab games at Triple-A Gwinnett. The 32-year-old will catch Friday, serve as the designated hitter Saturday and catch nine innings Sunday. If all goes well, d'Arnaud will likely be in line to return for Tuesday's series opener against the Reds.

Smith is not starting Friday against the Angels, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith will get two days to rest his legs with the club having an off day Thursday. Austin Barnes will catch David Price and bat eighth.

Manager David Bell announced Friday that Stephenson (hamstring) won't need to go on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson left Thursday's game with what was initially described as a hamstring cramp, and further evaluation confirmed that he didn't suffer any sort of more serious injury. Given Bell's update, Stephenson could have a chance of being available off the bench Friday, and the backstop should be ready to start behind the plate when next called upon.

McCann is out of the lineup Friday against the Phillies, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

McCann is 1-for-14 in his past four contests and will take a seat for the second time in the past three games. Tomas Nido will catch for Marcus Stroman and bat eighth.

Contreras is not in the lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Contreras started the past three games and will receive a day off after going 3-for-12 with a double, a walk, three RBI, three runs and five strikeouts. Robinson Chirinos will work behind the plate in his place.

Knizner went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in an 8-4 loss to Atlanta on Thursday.

Knizner got St. Louis on the board with his third-inning solo shot, his first homer of the year, and later walked in the ninth. The long ball was the backstop's third in 67 career games and a recent hot stretch has raised Knizner's OPS from .490 on July 7 to .601.