MLB Player News

Casali (wrist) could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list as early as Saturday or Sunday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Casali has been sidelined since June 1 due to a left wrist strain, but the issue wasn't considered particularly serious. Manager Gabe Kapler is hopeful that the catcher will be able to return to the active roster after spending just over the minimum amount of time on the injured list.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI while catching the entirety of Wednesday's 2-1 loss, so he'll just be getting a breather as Atlanta and Philadelphia conclude their series with a day game after a night game. Kevan Smith will work in a battery with starting pitcher Ian Anderson on Thursday.

Marchan was recalled by the Phillies on Thursday.

Chase Anderson landed on the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move, which means Marchan is merely with the team as the third catcher. He's unlikely to see many at-bats during his time with the team and appears to be primarily around in an insurance role.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Stephenson had started 17 of the Reds' previous 19 games, with most of those opportunities coming at first base. However, with Joey Votto returning from the injured list Tuesday, Stephenson's time as an everyday player for the Reds could be over. Stephenson should still get a handful of starts per week when Votto and top catcher Tucker Barnhart require rest, but the 24-year-old's expected downturn in playing time could make it difficult to justify holding him in most leagues. Compared to most catcher-eligible players, Stephenson has been quite productive this season with a .268 average, three home runs, 19 runs and 16 RBI across 146 plate appearances.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

Manny Pina will be behind the plate for Milwaukee in the series finale, catching for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. Narvaez had caught in five of the Brewers' last six games, going 6-for-16 with two home runs, four walks, a double, seven runs and three RBI over that stretch.

Realmuto will sit Thursday against Atlanta.

Realmuto went hitless in his first game back from the injured list in late May but has since collected at least one hit in eight straight contests. He'll receive a day to rest Thursday, with Andrew Knapp taking over behind the plate.

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers will wrap up their series in Pittsburgh with a day game after a night game, so Smith is just receiving a routine breather after catching all nine innings of Wednesday's 2-1 win. He'll take a seat in favor of Austin Barnes (ankle), who will return from a three-game absence to catch Julio Urias.

Barnes (ankle) will start at catcher and bat eighth Thursday against the Pirates, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Barnes hadn't started since picking up a mild ankle sprain Saturday against Atlanta, but he was still available if needed the past few days while No. 1 backstop Will Smith caught the past three games for Los Angeles. Smith will get a breather for the day game after a night game, paving the way for Barnes to return to action. The 31-year-old should regularly serve as Clayton Kershaw's primary battery mate, but Barnes can't be counted on to pick up more than one or two additional starts per week with Smith clearly entrenched as the starter.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's loss against the Phillies.

Contreras has now posted back-to-back three-hit performances. While he's been inconsistent at the plate over the last few weeks, it's worth noting he's hit safely in four of his last five contests. The rookie backstop has six homers while posting a .845 OPS across 103 plate appearances.

Stephenson went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI on Wednesday against the Brewers.

Stephenson began the productive effort with an RBI double in the first inning. He followed that up three frames later by driving in two runners with another extra-base knock, giving him seven RBI in his last 10 games. In that same span, he's collected nine hits across 31 at-bats. For the season, Stephenson is hitting .268/.363/.402 with three home runs, 19 runs scored and 16 RBI across 146 plate appearances.