MLB Player News

Barnes was sent for X-rays on his right hand Thursday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

The veteran catcher took an Ian Gibaut fastball off his hand in the ninth inning of the Dodgers' 6-0 win at Cincinnati on Thursday and, manager Dave Roberts acknowledged afterward that it "didn't look good, didn't sound good." Los Angeles will have to make a 40-man roster move for a new backup to Will Smith if Barnes requires an IL stint.

Barnes exited Thursday's game against the Reds after taking a pitch off his right hand, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barnes got struck by an Ian Gibaut fastball in the top of the ninth inning and was replaced at catcher by Will Smith to begin the bottom of the ninth. It could have just been a precautionary move with Los Angeles leading 6-0 and only three outs to get. Barnes finished the day 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored.

Bailey is absent from the lineup Thursday against the Rockies due to neck tightness, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bailey was supposed to start behind the plate in the Giants' series finale at Coors Field, but Blake Sabol has been pressed into duty instead. It's considered a minor issue and Bailey could be available off the bench.

Murphy is out of the lineup Thursday against the Mets.

This would appear to be a routine day of rest for Murphy, who caught the first two games of Atlanta's three-game series versus New York. Travis d'Arnaud is starting behind the plate and batting cleanup.

Grandal is not in the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

It will be the second straight game on the bench for Grandal, although he will surely catch during the nightcap. Seby Zavala will be behind the plate for the matinee.

Smith is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

It's a day game after a night game, so Smith will begin the afternoon on the bench. Austin Barnes will catch Clayton Kershaw.

Moreno is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Nationals.

Moreno was behind the plate for Wednesday's night game, so it's no surprise he's sitting out Thursday's afternoon tilt. Jose Herrera will catch Merrill Kelly.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two total runs and two total RBI in Thursday's loss to the Reds.

Smith had been uncharacteristically quiet at the plate over his past three games coming into Wednesday, going 1-for-11 with four strikeouts. The catcher got back on track with a pair of hits, including a two-run homer during the third inning. Smith is tied for fourth among catchers with nine long balls on the campaign, and he's staked a loud claim for his first All-Star selection with a .305/.407/.532 slash line along with 32 RBI, 31 runs, one steal and a sterling 28:19 BB:K.

Sanchez went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-3 victory over Seattle.

Sanchez extended the Padres' lead to 4-0 with a three-run, 414-foot shot off George Kirby with two outs in the third inning. The 30-year-old Sanchez has continued to mash with San Diego -- he's now 9-for-29 (.310) with four home runs and a 1.168 OPS through 32 plate appearances while seeing the majority of starts behind the plate.

Amaya is starting at catcher Wednesday against the Angels.

Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart will both ride the pine. Amaya has posted an .857 OPS through his first 29 major-league plate appearances this season with the Cubs and has now started four straight games between catcher and DH.