MLB Player News

Narvaez is not in the lineup for Sunday afternoon's game against the Reds.

The 29-year-old sits out the matinee after going 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI on Saturday night. Narvaez has gone 6-for-27 with a home run, two RBI and four walks in his last 10 games. Manny Pina is catching and batting eighth Sunday.

Stallings went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Saturday's comeback victory over the Mets.

With two out and the bases loaded in the ninth inning, Stallings got around on an inside Edwin Diaz offering and sent it into the left field bleachers to complete Pittsburgh's rally from a 6-0 deficit. It was Stallings' eighth homer of the year, extending his career high, and gave him 40 RBI, second on the team behind only Bryan Reynolds (52). Stallings is slashing .239/.325/.420 in 255 plate appearances, making him a viable starter in most fantasy formats.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 4-2 win over Arizona.

Contreras scored the Cubs' first run of the game when he scored on a sixth-inning double by Javier Baez. In the ninth, Contreras put the Cubs ahead for the first time with his two-run blast, and that stood up for a win. The catcher has hit safely in eight of his 10 games in July, going 11-for-36 (.306) in that span. He's slashing .241/.350/.431 with 14 homers, 33 RBI, 38 runs scored and three stolen bases through 322 plate appearances overall. His homer Saturday was his first since June 24.

Caratini will sit Saturday against the Nationals, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Caratini's time as the Padres' primary catcher may be up soon, as Austin Nola (knee) has begun a rehab assignment. Webster Rivas will start in his place Saturday.

Smith will sit Saturday against the Rockies, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Smith remains on pace to blow past manager Dave Roberts' preseason estimate of 90 starts, as his 60 games started in the team's first 93 contests put him on pace for 105 by the end of the year. His .256/.361/.449 slash line means the Dodgers are unlikely to cut his playing time any time soon, but he'll get a brief rest Saturday, with Austin Barnes starting behind the plate.

Diaz will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Anyone who calls Coors Field home is theoretically an interesting fantasy option, but that hasn't been the case for either of the Rockies' backstops this season. Diaz is hitting just .209/.282/.374 on the year, while Dom Nunez, who starts behind the plate Saturday, is hitting just .171/.274/.355.

Barnhart will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Barnhart is having a good season at the plate, as his .762 OPS represents a career high. Fellow backstop Tyler Stephenson owns an even better .807 OPS, however, so the Reds will likely continue to give Barnhart fairly frequent rest in the second half. Stephenson will catch Luis Castillo on Saturday.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, four RBI and a run Friday in the Dodgers' 10-4 win over the Rockies.

The four RBI established a new season high for Smith, who had driven in four runs combined over his final nine games prior to the All-Star break. Smith hit out of the cleanup spot Friday, and his presence in the heart of a loaded Los Angeles lineup should continue to make him one of the most valuable fantasy catchers during the second half.

Nola (knee) served as a designated hitter for Triple-A El Paso on Friday and went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts.

Nola has played in seven of the past eight days for El Paso, going 6-for-18 with a 2:4 BB:K thus far during his rehab assignment. He notably caught five innings Thursday, and the Padres could bring him back from the 10-day injured list once he catches a full nine-inning game for El Paso. Victor Caratini will continue to serve as the Padres' top backstop until Nola is reinstated.

Gomes (oblique) doesn't have a timetable for his return, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Gomes has been on the 10-day injured list since Saturday due to a left oblique strain, but he apparently wasn't able to participate in many activities across the last week. It appears likely that the 33-year-old will need to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the injured list, and a better idea of his status could be revealed once he ramps up his workload.