MLB Player News

Nola (thumb) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Nola's shift to the 60-day IL is simply procedural since the catcher will require season-ending thumb surgery. Victor Caratini will continue to serve as the primary catcher during the final series of the regular season, while Friday's transaction helps to make room for right-hander Pedro Avila, whose contract was selected from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Smith isn't starting Friday's game against Milwaukee, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith had started each of the last three games, and he went 1-for-11 with a run, an RBI and a walk. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

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

Stallings has gone 3-for-8 with a run and a strikeout across his last two appearances, and he'll head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Michael Perez will start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Contreras isn't starting Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras returned to the lineup two games ago and has gone 4-for-8 with two doubles, four RBI and two runs since. Erick Castillo will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Fortes isn't starting Friday's game against the Phillies, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Fortes has gone 0-for-12 with five strikeouts across his last four appearances, and he'll retreat to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Payton Henry will start at catcher and bat sixth.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.

D'Arnaud will receive a day off after starting the past seven games after Atlanta clinched the NL East division title Thursday. Williams Contreras will start behind the plate and bat eighth.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Friday against the Marlins, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto started the past six games and will take a seat Friday with the Phillies now eliminated from playoff contention. Andrew Knapp will start behind the plate Friday.

Caratini is not in Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers.

Caratini has started four consecutive games behind the dish so he'll draw a rest day. Webster Rivas takes over at catcher and will hit eighth.

Caratini went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three runs scored in Wednesday's 11-9 loss to the Dodgers.

Caratini got the Padres on the board in the second inning with a solo home run off Max Scherzer that just barely cleared the wall in left. He notched two more base hits along the way and came around to score both times. Wednesday was the first three-hit effort of the year for the 28-year-old, who now has eight hits and four RBI over his last five games. Caratini is slashing .226/.310/.321 with seven homers, 38 RBI, 31 runs scored, two steals and 35:80 BB:K over 348 plate appearances this season.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Pirates.

Contreras hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning to put the Cubs up 1-0. Then with Chicago down 2-1 in the seventh, the catcher doubled in two more runs to help snap his team's seven-game losing streak. Contreras has been locked in lately, as he's batting .310 across his last 10 games. The 29-year-old looks primed to finish the season on a positive note and turn his attention toward 2022, when he should again be one of the top fantasy options at his position.