MLB Player News

Murphy went hitless in four at-bats following his September callup.

The catching prospect saw little playing time down the stretch with the Rockies in the thick of the playoff race -- a disappointing finish to a disappointing season. Expected by many to move into the starting catcher role at some point in 2017, he wound up getting hurt during spring training and struggling at the plate in the minors. Heading into 2018, Murphy still looks like a candidate to assume full-time catching duties, but he'll need to show that this past season was simply a fluke and not a sign of things to come.

Diaz is not starting against the Nationals on Sunday.

The rookie is slumping his way into the offseason, getting four hits in his last 32 at-bats. Diaz's receiving skills continue to need work, but he remains the likely backup to starter Francisco Cervelli in 2018. Given Cervelli's penchant for landing on the disabled list, Diaz could see significant playing time next year.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Hedges' rough offensive season will come to an end, as he'll be replaced in the starting lineup by Rocky Gale. The 25-year-old will finish the year with a .214 average and 29.3 percent strikeout rate in his 120 games played.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

D'Arnaud will find himself positioned on the bench for the final game of the regular season. Tomas Nido will fill in behind the plate in his stead.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

After starting the past two games, Contreras will get the day off as the Cubs close out the regular season against Deck McGuire and the Reds. Alex Avila will take over behind the plate, batting sixth.

D'Arnaud is out of Saturday's lineup against the Phillies, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

He has done his best to salvage what had been a mediocre year over the first five months, as he is hitting .333/.373/.741 with six home runs in his last 54 at-bats. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish and hit fifth.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Saturday against the Braves, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

He has started seven of the last eight games, hitting .346/.433/.423 in 26 at-bats over that stretch. A.J. Ellis is starting at catcher and hitting seventh.

Barnhart is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cubs, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

He is hitting .288/.365/.470 with two home runs in 66 at-bats this month. Stuart Turner will start behind the dish and hit eighth.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

The Cubs clinched the NL Central on Wednesday, so they're resting all of their starters for Thursday's series finale. Alex Avila will take over behind the dish for Contreras, batting cleanup.

Barnhart is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barnhart will retreat to the bench for a breather after starting seven straight games behind the dish, going 6-for-25 (.240) with a homer over that span. Stuart Turner will take over as the team's backstop in his stead, batting eighth.