MLB Player News

Smith isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Reds, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith blasted a three-run homer in the fourth inning of Tuesday's loss to the Reds, but he'll get a breather for Wednesday's series finale. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.

Barnhart isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barnhart has gone 1-for-11 with a double, two runs and four strikeouts in his last four contests and will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Tyler Stephenson will start behind the dish and bat seventh.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and and an additional run scored Tuesday against the Reds.

Smith took Jeff Hoffman deep in the fourth inning for his third home run of the season. It was the first time he's gone yard since April 5, a 13-start span. For the season, Smith is hitting 218/.389/.473 with seven RBI and 11 runs scored across 72 plate appearances.

Nola (finger) could be activated this weekend against the Giants, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Last week, manager Jayce Tingler said it was realistic that Nola could return for the first series of the week, but that now seems unlikely. Victor Caratini will continue to serve as the primary catcher until Nola is activated.

Maile was recalled by the Brewers on Tuesday.

Maile will serve as the backup to Omar Narvaez while Manny Pina remains sidelined with a broken toe. Narvaez owns an excellent 1.051 OPS this season, so Maile may not get too many opportunities to start.

Gomes will hit the bench Tuesday against Toronto.

Gomes and Alex Avila have been alternating starts for the last six games. Avila gets the nod behind the plate Tuesday, but Gomes should return for Wednesday's contest if the pattern holds.

D'Arnaud went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 8-7 win over the Cubs.

D'Arnaud got on the board early in Monday's slugfest, plating both runs in the first inning to give Atlanta an early lead. The 32-year-old has been off to a slow start this year, hitting only .209 with two home runs across 72 plate appearances. His early struggles have not kept d'Arnaud out of the lineup, as he's started behind the plate in 17 out of the team's 22 games this season.

Contreras went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Monday's 8-7 loss to Atlanta.

Contreras is only batting .239 but he has an .894 OPS, which has been boosted significantly by his seven home runs in just 21 games. The catcher's career high in home runs is 24, which he recorded across 105 games back in 2019. Contreras looks poised to surpass that number if he stays healthy this year. He's already matched his 2020 long ball total, and it took him 57 games to reach the figure a year ago.

Narvaez is not starting Monday against the Marlins, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It's possible Narvaez, who swings left-handed, could platoon with the right-handed Manny Pina going forward. The Brewers haven't had the chance to show off any potential platoons so far this season, as they somehow managed to face 21 straight righties to open the season before facing southpaw Trevor Rogers on Monday.

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

Smith broke out of a minor cold spell by going 2-for-4 with a double in Saturday's 5-4 win, but he'll still sit for the second time in the series. Austin Barnes will catch Dustin May in the finale.