MLB Player News

Nola isn't starting Monday against the Brewers.

Nola started in the last two games and went 2-for-7 with a double, a run, two walks and two strikeouts. Jorge Alfaro will take over behind the dish and bat ninth Monday.

Knizner will start at catcher and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Blue Jays, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Knizner is likely to draw both of the starts behind the plate during the Cardinals' two-game series with the Blue Jays while top backstop Yadier Molina (personal) is back in Puerto Rico to tend to a family matter after being placed on the bereavement list. By catchers' standards, Knizner has been productive when given opportunities to play this season, as he carries a .262/.357/.361 slash line over 70 plate appearances into Monday's contest.

The Cardinals recalled Herrera from Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Herrera is expected to be in store for a short-term stay with the Cardinals, as fellow backstop Yadier Molina (personal) will be away from the team for 3-to-7 days after being placed on the bereavement list. While Molina is inactive, Herrera will serve as the No. 2 catcher behind Andrew Knizner. Herrera, 21, is slashing .310/.405/.493 over 84 plate appearances with Memphis this season.

Contreras (hamstring) isn't starting Monday's game against the Reds.

Contreras suffered a right hamstring strain during Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks, and he's considered day-to-day. He isn't expected to require a trip to the injured list, per Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago. With Contreras out of the lineup for a second straight game, Yan Gomes will start behind the dish and bat fifth.

Contreras will bat second and play left field Monday against the Phillies.

Contreras has homered six times in 10 games this season, but he doesn't have a path to a major role behind the plate with Travis d'Arnaud hitting well and under contract through at least the end of next season. Contreras' inclusion in the lineup as an outfielder Monday is a clear sign that Atlanta wants to create as many opportunities for him as possible. He's only appeared in two games in the outfield as a professional, but he's a strong athlete for a catcher and should be able to hold his own.

Stallings went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and an RBI in Sunday's win over Atlanta.

The backstop continued a productive stretch that has seen him hit .333 (11-for-33) over his last 11 games (nine starts) with five runs scored and seven RBI. Stallings is having a disappointing season overall, with his .568 OPS being a significant decline from the .705 mark he posted over his final three seasons in Pittsburgh, but the 32-year-old remains Miami's starter behind the plate and still has time to bring his numbers up to their usual level.

Bart will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Padres.

Bart was on the bench for four of the Giants' last five games and appeared to be moving into the No. 2 role behind the plate, but he should now have some temporary security atop the depth chart after Curt Casali (concussion) was placed on the 7-day injured list Saturday. For the season, Bart is batting a disappointing .169 with four home runs in 86 plate appearances.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Though he rested for the second half of Saturday's doubleheader, Diaz will remain on the bench for the series finale. Rockies manager Bud Black is likely rewarding No. 2 backstop Brian Serven will a second consecutive start after the rookie went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Saturday's 11-3 win in Game 2.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Smith will get some maintenance after he caught each of the Dodgers' last three games while going 3-for-11 with a home run, a double, three walks and two runs during that stretch. Austin Barnes replaces Smith behind the dish in the series finale in Philadelphia.

Contreras (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Per Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com, Contreras is considered day-to-day after straining his right hamstring in Saturday's 7-6 loss, but the Cubs had enough concern about the backstop's health to call up another catcher (P.J. Higgins) from Triple-A Iowa ahead of Sunday's series finale. Higgins will draw the start behind the plate in place of Contreras, who will hope to return at some point during the Cubs' upcoming four-game series in Cincinnati that begins Monday.