MLB Player News

Contreras is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras will receive Friday off after starting five of the last six games and going 4-for-17 with one double and one home run in that stretch. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate and bat sixth versus Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas.

Smith has been optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Smith was impressive in his first action at the big-league level, going 6-for-21 with a pair of homers and a double, but with Austin Barnes (groin) activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, the Dodgers have sent Smith back to Oklahoma City. The young backstop showcased some of the potential at the dish that has made him such an enticing prospect, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him called back up at some point this season.

Barnes (groin) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

As expected, Barnes is back with the Dodgers after completing a two-game rehab stint with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, going 2-for-5 with a walk in those contests. The 29-year-old figures to immediately step back in as the team's primary backstop after a minimum stay on the shelf. Will Smith was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

With the Brewers and Marlins facing a quick turnaround for their series finale, Grandal will receive a routine maintenance day, allowing Manny Pina to pick up a turn behind the dish. Grandal was one of the Brewers' top performers in Wednesday's 8-3 loss, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Braves.

Jacob Stallings will work in a battery with Chris Archer for the latter's second straight turn in the rotation, but that doesn't necessarily indicate that manager Clint Hurdle has committed to Stallings as Archer's personal catcher. Instead, the day game after the night game probably represents the main reason why Diaz isn't starting in the series finale. With 12 hits in 28 at-bats to go with nine RBI over his past seven games, Diaz has cemented himself as the Pirates' top option behind the plate and may even warrant ownership in weekly leagues that start only one catcher.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored in Wednesday's 9-8 win over the Rockies.

Contreras continued his strong season, as he's now up to 32 runs scored and 34 RBI to go along with a robust .976 OPS. After a disappointing 2018 campaign, the 27-year-old has bounced back in a big way so far in 2019.

Grandal went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run Wednesday against the Marlins.

Grandal took Adam Conley deep in the ninth inning for his 13th home run of the season. He's hit well of late, smacking five homers and recording five multi-hit performances in his last 11 contests. That's simply the latest installment of a strong campaign for Grandal, who's now hitting .279/.375/.537 across 224 plate appearances.

Hedges is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies.

Hedges has a .797 OPS over his last 13 games. He'll head to the bench in favor of Austin Allen for Wednesday's contest.

Bart (hand) went 2-for-3 with a home run, walk, three RBI and three runs in his return from the 7-day injured list Tuesday in High-A San Jose's 9-4 win over Modesto.

Sidelined since April 15 with a fractured hand, Bart displayed little rust in his return to action, reaching base three times while going deep for the third time this season. There's always a concern with a hitter's power being sapped upon returning from a hand injury, so it's especially encouraging that Bart was able to leave the yard in the first game back. Though Bart is widely viewed as the top catching prospect currently in the minors, he may lose that distinction once 2019 No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman debuts in affiliated ball.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Gomes will take a seat after starting three of the past four games behind the dish. Kurt Suzuki will check in at catcher for the afternoon contest, working in a battery with starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez.