MLB Player News

Contreras went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in Friday's 1-0 win over the Twins.

Rich Hill and Caleb Thielbar limited the Cubs to just three total hits, but Contreras managed two of them, and the Chicago catcher drove in the game's only run. Contreras is now batting .256 with a .760 OPS and 22 RBI in 49 games.

Gomes went 2-for-4 with two runs and one strikeout during the win in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins.

Gomes has continued to split time with Kurt Suzuki behind the plate this season, but he's put together some solid stat lines recently with multi-hit performances in two of his last four games. The 33-year-old is now hitting .282 with 11 runs and 11 RBI over 23 games this season.

Smith is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith hits the bench after starting seven of the last eight games. He posted a 1.074 OPS over that stretch, right in line with his season-long 1.013 mark in that category. Austin Barnes will be the catcher Friday.

Caratini will be on the bench Friday against the Twins.

Caratini has started 31 out of the Cubs' 51 games this season, but he'll sit for the second straight game here. With a .456 OPS over his last 17 games, it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if his opportunities drop off down the stretch. Willson Contreras will catch Friday, with Jason Kipnis serving as the designated hitter.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

Narvaez continues to struggle at the plate and is 1-for-11 in his past five games, so he'll take a seat against left-hander Danny Duffy. Jacob Nottingham receives the start at catcher Friday for Milwaukee.

Manager Dave Roberts indicated Thursday that he is considering using Smith as the team's designated hitter in games that he doesn't catch during the playoffs, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Though catchers aren't typically targeted for the DH role, Smith has been one of the Dodgers' best hitters this season, leading Roberts to consider a way to keep his bat in the lineup on an everyday basis. Austin Barnes will certainly catch some contests if the Dodgers advance beyond the first round of the playoffs, but Roberts used both Barnes and Smith in the starting lineup when Smith DH'd last week, and the same setup could be employed again this weekend as the team prepares for the postseason. The desire to deploy Smith as an offensive weapon is justified by his .303/.417/.596 slash line and 18:16 BB:K.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.

Stallings will receive a breather in the first game of the twin bill and figures to rejoin the lineup for the nightcap. John Ryan Murhpy starts behind the plate in the matinee, batting ninth.

Realmuto (hip) won't play over the weekend, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Realmuto continues to deal with a hip issue, and it'll hold him out at least until Monday's matchup in Washington. Andrew Knapp will handle the catching duties until Realmuto is cleared to return.

Realmuto (hip) is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets.

Realmuto will be sidelined by hip discomfort for the fifth straight day, though he may be able to return this weekend versus the Blue Jays. Andrew Knapp receives another start behind the plate Thursday.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and three RBI in Wednesday's win over San Diego.

Smith came through with a pair of big two-out hits in the contest, driving home a run with an infield single in the third inning and knocking in two more with a double to deep center in the fifth. Manager Dave Roberts recently indicated a preference to have Smith hit in the middle of the lineup due to his ability to produce quality at-bats, and the backstop certainly justified his skipper's comments Wednesday. In fact, Smith has been swinging a hot stick for the last two weeks; since Sept. 2, he has gone 16-for-34 (.471) with two homers, four doubles and seven RBI.