MLB Player News

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

Diaz will pick up a routine breather after starting the Pirates' last four games behind the plate. Backup Jacob Stallings will handle the catching duties in the series finale.

Casali is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Casali heads to the bench after starting each of the past three games behind the plate and going 2-for-9 with a pair of home runs. While Casali's .837 OPS greatly exceeds Tucker Barnhart's mark (.623), the latter player still looks like the Reds' top option behind the plate thanks to his greater familiarity with the pitching staff and reputation as a solid defensive backstop.

Realmuto left Saturday's game in the sixth inning after a foul tip caught him between the legs, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He initially stayed in the game after being struck by the Freddie Freeman foul tip, but then checked out after complaining of nausea. The Phillies have been trying to find opportunities to lessen Realmuto's workload as it is, so don't be surprised if he sits Sunday even if the issue proves not to be a serious one.

Contreras is not starting Saturday against the Dodgers.

Contreras has been slumping after a hot start to the season, hitting .167/.245/.271 over his last 14 games. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies.

Hedges will sit for the second time in three games, giving way to Austin Allen behind the plate.

Barnhart is on the bench for the third straight game Saturday against Texas.

Barnhart finds himself on the bench yet again in favor of Curt Casali. Barnhart's .199/.298/.329 season slash line is far worse than Casali's .286/.349/.449, so he could continue to lose time going forward.

Barnes isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Barnes will head to the bench after going 1-for-14 with an RBI over his last five games. Russell Martin is set to handle the catching duties and hit eighth with Barnes out of the mix.

Gomes is not in the lineup Friday against Arizona.

Gomes and Kurt Suzuki have been alternating starts behind the plate over the last seven games. Suzuki takes his turn Friday, but Gomes should be back in action for Saturday's contest if the pattern holds.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Smith has gotten right back to his hot-hitting ways for Oklahoma City since he was sent down June 6, as this was the second straight game he's left the yard in the first inning. His Triple-A slash line is an impressive .285/.398/.557 to go along with 10 homers and 34 RBI, so he's maintaining a strong case that he should be back with the big club at some point, especially considering he fared well at the dish in his brief stint this season with six hits and two homers in 21 at-bats. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts seems committed to the rotation of Austin Barnes and Russell Martin for the time being.

Hedges is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rockies.

Hedges is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts over his last two games, so he'll give way to Austin Allen behind the dish for Thursday's series opener in Colorado. Look for the backstop to rejoin the starting nine Friday.