MLB Player News

Barnhart is not in the lineup Saturday at home against the Rockies.

The 28-year-old is absent from the lineup just one day after returning from an oblique injury that landed him on the 10-day injured list. It appears to be just a routine day off for Barnhart as he's eased back from his injury. Ryan Lavarnway will start at catcher, batting ninth.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a solo home run and a second run scored for Double-A Mississippi on Friday.

Promoted to the Southern League a little over a month ago, Contreras had some initial struggles at the new level but has gone 12-for-26 with a sharp 4:2 BB:K over his last eight games, homering in both of the last two contests. The 21-year-old remains the most exciting catcher in the Atlanta system from a fantasy perspective, although he has some real-life competition from the club's 2019 first-round pick, defensive whiz Shea Langeliers.

Hedges went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Giants.

Hedges delivered a game-tying solo shot off Giants starter Jeff Samardzija in the fifth inning, but that was the only run the Padres managed to plate. Hedges has gone 6-for-18 with two homers, six RBI and two doubles in his last six games, dating back to July 7. For the year, the catcher has a .195/.260/.344 batting line with eight homers, 29 RBI and 18 runs scored in 66 games while splitting time with Francisco Mejia behind the dish.

Contreras went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Brewers.

More noteworthy than the empty box score was the fact that Contreras batted first for the first time all season. The slugging catcher previously hadn't batted any higher than fourth, but Chicago manager Joe Maddon decided to mix up his lineup against Milwaukee lefty Gio Gonzalez. It remains to be seen whether Contreras will get more time in the leadoff spot. If he does, the 27-year-old could see an uptick in runs but a decrease in RBI.

Mejia isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

Mejia will head to the bench after picking up a pair of base knocks Thursday night. Austin Hedges draws the start behind the dish and is set to bat eighth with Mejia out of the mix.

Manager Dave Roberts told MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on Friday that Smith will be the Dodgers' primary catcher moving forward.

The 24-year-old will be given a day to get acclimated -- he's out of the lineup Friday -- before taking over as the No. 1 backstop, after the Dodgers decided to move on from Austin Barnes as the primary option. Smith has hit 20 homers with a 130 wRC+ with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, and he tacked on three additional homers during a prior stint with Los Angeles earlier this season. The rookie looks like a worthwhile add in virtually all two-catcher formats.

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Washington.

Smith was officially recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier Friday but he'll have to wait another day before rejoining the starting nine.

Barnhart (oblique) was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He is starting at catcher and batting eighth versus the Rockies.

Barnhart had his lone rehab game with Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, which was apparently enough to clear the way for his return from the injured list given the dire situation behind the plate for the Reds. The 28-year-old figures to see the bulk of the starting catching duties with Curt Casali (knee), Kyle Farmer (concussion) and Juan Graterol (concussion) all on the shelf.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Gomes hasn't started consecutive games since July 16-17, with Kurt Suzuki receiving six of the past nine starts. Gomes has two hits in each of his last two starts, but prior to that he was 3-for-39 in his previous 14 games.

Smith was officially recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Smith trades places with Austin Barnes and figures to see immediate starting chances with the Dodgers. Smith showcased himself well during his brief time in the majors this season with a .269/.345/.654 slash line and three homers in nine games.