MLB Player News

Stallings went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Monday's loss to the Reds.

Stallings was one of the lone bright spots for Pittsburgh in a 14-1 blowout, as he left the yard in the bottom of the second inning for his club's only run on the evening. The backstop is now 6-for-21 with four extra-base hits and three RBI through seven contests in May.

Barnhart went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored Monday against the Pirates.

Barnhart knocked in a pair of runs in the fourth inning on a double to left center, increasing his club's lead to four. He would register his second double of the contest later on off Luis Oviedo. The backstop has been rock solid at the dish for the Reds in the early going of the 2021 campaign, hitting .307 with three home runs and 13 RBI through 25 contests.

Leon isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Leon has gone hitless with four strikeouts in his last 11 at-bats and continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Chad Wallach will start at catcher and bat seventh.

Ruiz was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

Ruiz spent six days with the big-league club but never had a path to much playing time given the presence of both Will Smith and Austin Barnes. He went 1-for-6 with four strikeouts in limited action, though his lone hit did clear the fence. It will likely take an injury to Smith or Barnes for Ruiz to earn meaningful at-bats this season.

Ruiz stated Saturday that he's willing to play outfield if needed, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Ruiz played outfield in high school but has not logged time at the position as a professional. He is currently on the active roster but is solidly behind both Will Smith and Austin Barnes on the catching depth chart. Despite Ruiz's openness to adding a position to his resume, manager Dave Roberts clarified that the team isn't currently considering such a move, per Matthew Moreno of Dodger Blue. If Ruiz were to get reps at another position, it would likely be first base, Roberts added.

Nola is out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants.

Nola suffered a hand injury Friday but returned to the lineup Saturday and went 0-for-4 with an RBI. Victor Caratini receives another start behind the plate for San Diego.

Knizner is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

After Yadier Molina (foot) returned from the injured list Saturday, Knizner's time as the Cardinals' No. 1 catcher came to an end. While Molina was sidelined, Knizner went 6-for-34 (.176 average) over a 10-game stretch.

Smith went 2-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored Saturday in the Dodgers' 14-11 win over the Angels.

Smith was one of five Dodgers to provide multiple hits on the night to help his side snap a four-game losing streak. The 26-year-old backstop has recorded at least one hit in all but one of his last nine games, slashing .324/.351/.529 over that span.

Nola (hand) will catch and bat eighth Saturday against San Francisco.

Nola left Friday's game with a left hand injury. X-rays came back negative, and he won't wind up being forced to miss any games. He's gotten off to a bit of a slow start after missing most of April with a broken finger, going just 2-for-11 at the plate through five games, though that sample size is far too small to cause much concern.

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

Stallings had gone 3-for-10 with a double, a run, two walks and a strikeout in the last three games. Michael Perez will start at catcher and bat eighth.