MLB Player News

Hedges is not in the lineup Sunday against the Astros.

Hedges started five of six games entering Saturday, but he's now been on the bench for the past two contests. Luis Torrens receives another start behind the plate for the Friars.

Smith (neck) was activated off the 10-day injured list Sunday and will start against the Rockies, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

The 25-year-old hasn't played since Aug. 12 due to the neck inflammation, but he'll return after spending the 10-day minimum on the shelf. Smith has a .188/.341/.406 slash line through 41 plate appearances and should reclaim primary catching duties, though Austin Barnes' recent success (.932 OPS in his past nine games) could lead to a more even split of playing time if Smith's struggles continue.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Gomes handled the lighter end of a timeshare with Kurt Suzuki behind the plate to begin the season, but the former's hot bat of late has seemingly allowed him to emerge as Washington's top backstop. Though Suzuki will catch Anibal Sanchez on Sunday, Gomes had started six of the Nationals' last nine games, going 9-for-24 with four extra-base hits -- including two home runs -- to go with five RBI and four runs.

Gomes went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored during a 5-3 loss to the Marlins in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

One day after connecting on his first homer of the year, Gomes went yard again as he turned around a 99 mph fastball from rookie Sixto Sanchez in the third inning. The veteran catcher extended his hitting streak to seven games in the process, during which he's gone 11-for-28 (.393) with six runs and seven RBI.

Stallings went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBI in Saturday's 12-5 victory over the Brewers.

The home run was his first in 2020, after Stallings hit six homers in 191 at-bats as a rookie in 2019. He's also collected two hits in each of his last three straight starts, pushing his batting average to .313. Stallings, who went unclaimed on waivers last season, continues to see the bulk of playing time ahead of John Ryan Murphy.

Smith (neck) will be activated off the injured list to start Sunday against the Rockies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old took at-bats and saw time behind the plate at the alternate training site Friday, which proved to be the final step before returning from the bout of neck inflammation. Smith was off to a slow start with a .188/.341/.406 slash line through 41 plate appearances, while Austin Barnes has a 1.021 OPS in his past nine games. Smith should reclaim the primary role behind the plate, but there could be a more even split of playing time if his struggles persist.

Bart will head to the bench Saturday after starting in back-to-back games following his Thursday promotion, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bart will head to the bench after going 2-for-7 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI in his first two starts. Chadwick Tromp will get the nod behind the plate in favor of Bart on Saturday.

D'Arnaud isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Phillies.

D'Arnaud went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs during Friday's contest, but he'll get a day off Saturday. Tyler Flowers will start behind the plate and bat eighth.

Barnhart isn't starting Saturday against the Cardinals.

Barnhart got the starting nod behind the dish during the past two games and went 1-for-6 with two walks and two strikeouts. Curt Casali will handle the catching duties Saturday.

Narvaez isn't starting Saturday against the Pirates.

With southpaw Derek Holland on the mound for the Pirates, Narvaez will take a seat for the second game of the series. Manny Pina will serve as the starting catcher Saturday.