MLB Player News

Barnes will be called up to the Dodgers on Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

With Will Smith thriving as a major-league starter and Russell Martin set as his backup, Barnes is likely to take the role of third catcher and occasional utility player. The 29-year-old has struggled mightily with the big club this season, hitting .198 with five homers in 207 at-bats. However, he performed well after being sent down to the minors, slashing .264/.375/.540 with six long balls and 17 RBI in 23 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's victory over the Mariners.

Contreras was activated from the injured list before the game and wasted no time picking up where he left off, launching a 450-foot moonshot to left center field in the second inning. The 27-year-old ended up missing 27 games with a hamstring injury suffered in early August. He remains one of the best hitting catchers in the game, compiling a .279/.369/.537 slash line with 20 homers and 58 RBI in 344 plate appearances this season.

Smith isn't starting Tuesday's game against the Rockies, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Smith is in line for the night off after going 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Monday's series opener. Russell Martin will handle the catching duties and bat eighth.

Castillo was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Tuesday.

Castillo will head to the waivers after being kicked off the 40-man roster. The backstop has put together a .250/.310/.408 slash line with six homers and 24 RBI over 58 games this season at Triple-A New Orleans.

Heineman had his contract selected from Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday.

Heineman played 48 games with New Orleans this season, slashing .341/.397/.622 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI. He'll have a chance to make his major-league debut after spending the last eight years in the minors.

Contreras (hamstring) is catching and batting sixth Tuesday against Seattle.

As expected, Contreras has been activated from the 10-day injured list and will immediately enter the starting nine. He's set to catch for Jon Lester in his first game back from a hamstring injury.

Contreras (hamstring) will be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against Seattle, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The move hasn't been made official just yet, but skipper Joe Maddon stated that Contreras will return for Chicago's only game against the Mariners. He's been on the injured list since Aug. 4 due to a right hamstring strain.

Manager Joe Maddon said that Contreras (hamstring) could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list at some point during the Cubs' four-game series in Milwaukee that begins Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Contreras began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa over the past weekend, going hitless in four at-bats while logging nine total innings behind the dish. The Cubs will likely check in with Contreras on Monday and see how he's feeling after Sunday's rest day before determining his next step. Contreras has been sidelined since Aug. 4 with the right hamstring strain.

Caratini is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.

Caratini will get a day off after starting in each of the past six games, logging three turns behind the plate and three at first base. He won't be in store for much action at the latter position moving forward now that Anthony Rizzo has shaken off a back injury, but Caratini should remain ahead of Jonathan Lucroy on the depth chart at catcher through the weekend. Manager Joe Maddon relayed Monday that top backstop Willson Contreras (hamstring) could be ready to come off the injured list at some point during the four-game series in Milwaukee that begins Thursday, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

Realmuto is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Realmuto drew his 20th consecutive start -- with 19 coming at catcher -- in Sunday night's 5-2 win over the Mets, so he'll just be getting a breather with the Phillies facing a quick turnaround for Monday's series opener. The rest day can only help Realmuto, who went hitless across 11 at-bats over the weekend. Andrew Knapp spells him behind the dish.