MLB Player News

Barnhart is not in Thursday's lineup against the Brewers.

He is 7-for-16 (.438) with one home run over his last five games. Curt Casali will start behind the dish while hitting eighth.

Smith is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Padres.

Smith has started six of the past seven games, going 2-for-20 with a home run and three RBI over that stretch. Russell Martin is starting at backstop and hitting eighth in this one.

Diaz (knee) has been shut down for the remainder of the season, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Diaz has been sidelined since Saturday with a right knee injury and simply won't have enough time to return, leaving Jacob Stallings and Steve Baron to finish out the season as Pittsburgh's primary catchers. Across 101 games with the Pirates this season, Diaz compiled a .241/.296/.307 slash line with two home runs and 28 RBI.

Realmuto will undergo season-ending surgery Friday to clean up the meniscus in his right knee, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Realmuto has been shut down for the remainder of the season a day after the Phillies were eliminated from the playoffs. Manager Gabe Kapler confirmed there is no long-term concern regarding the injury; Realmuto should be ready to go by the time spring training rolls around. The backstop impressed in his first season with the Phillies, appearing in a career-high 145 games while slashing .275/.328/.493 with 25 home runs, 83 RBI and nine steals. Look for Andrew Knapp and Deivy Grullon to see time behind the dish in place of Realmuto.

Diaz (knee) is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Cubs.

Diaz hasn't played since Saturday due to a right knee injury and it's unclear whether he'll return before the end of the season. Steve Baron is starting behind the dish and hitting eighth Wednesday.

Gomes went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in the second game of the team's doubleheader Tuesday against the Phillies.

Gomes took Aaron Nola deep in the third inning to record his 12th home run of the season. He's managed half of those home runs in September, launching his slugging percentage from .338 to .395 in the process. He could see his playing time reduced soon, however, as Kurt Suzuki (elbow) appears to be nearing a return to the lineup.

Mejia is not starting Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Mejia returned from an oblique injury last Tuesday but has started just two games since then. Luis Torrens gets the nod behind the plate on this occasion.

Realmuto (knee) remains on the bench for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

The Phillies' loss in the afternoon game eliminated them from playoff contention, so it's hardly surprising that Realmuto won't be rushed back from a sore knee. Whether or not he returns at any point over the final week of the season remains to be seen.

Diaz (knee) remains on the bench Tuesday against the Cubs.

Diaz left Saturday's game against the Brewers with a knee issue and hasn't appeared since. It's not clear when he's expected to return. Jacob Stallings gets the start behind the plate Tuesday.

Grullon will make his first career start in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Grullon will catch and bat eighth. The 23-year-old has been up for all of September but has made just a single plate appearance. He could get a few more opportunities to audition for the backup catcher job next season with J.T. Realmuto dealing with a sore knee. Grullon had long been seen as a defense-first prospect but has improved his stock over the last two seasons, hitting 21 homers in both campaigns while producing above-average batting lines. He's still unlikely to be anything more than a backup as long as he remains in the same organization as Realmuto.