MLB Player News

Casali was placed on the paternity list Friday.

Casali's wife went into labor during Thursday's win over the Rangers, and the catcher will be away from the team for 1-3 days. Brian O'Keefe's contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma to provide additional depth behind the dish, while Cal Raleigh and Luis Torrens are also available to handle catching duties.

Delay isn't starting Friday against the Cardinals.

The 27-year-old has now missed three of the last four starts behind the plate for the Pirates and seems to be at risk of losing his starting role to Jose Godoy, who will start and bat eighth. Delay has just a .200 OPS over the last seven days.

Bethancourt isn't starting Friday against Houston, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Bethancourt will get a second game off after recording a .467 OPS in the past week. Francisco Mejia will start instead behind the dish and bat sixth.

Maldonado isn't in the lineup Friday against Tampa Bay.

After going 0-for-7 in Houston's last series against the Diamondbacks, Maldonado will yield catching duties to Christian Vazquez, who will bat eighth. This is the third time Maldonado has sat after making two consecutive starts, so it seems the Astros have fallen into a pattern behind the plate they like going forward.

Alvarez was called up to the Mets' big league roster and is set to make his major-league debut Friday against Atlanta, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The 20-year-old catching prospect has slashed .233/.382/.440 through 199 plate appearances in Triple-A Syracuse. He might not provide an immediate impact, but he'll gain some valuable experience heading into 2023. Alvarez will serve as the Mets' designated hitter Friday and bat seventh.

Haase isn't starting Friday against the Twins.

Haase has gone 2-for-8 with two runs, three walks and a strikeout over the last four matchups but will be on the bench for the third time in the last four games. Tucker Barnhart is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

Contreras is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Reds.

Contreras will take a seat after he went 2-for-12 with a double and four strikeouts over a three-game series with the Phillies. Yan Gomes will take over behind the plate and bat seventh in the series opener.

Huff went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 10-9 extra-innings loss to the Mariners.

Huff has homered twice in his last three games, and he's up to four long balls on the year. The 24-year-old has gone 8-for-35 (.229 average) since he rejoined the Rangers on Sept. 5. He's slashing .250/.311/.384 with 10 RBI, eight runs scored and a stolen base through 122 plate appearances this season.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Padres.

Smith continues to see the ball well, as he's posted six multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. The catcher supplied an insurance run with his solo shot in the eighth inning Thursday, which was his fifth homer in September. He's up to 24 on the year, one shy of his career high, while adding 86 RBI, 66 runs scored, a stolen base, 25 doubles, three triples and a .265/.349/.475 slash line through 133 contests.

Stassi went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Athletics.

After getting a couple of nights off, Stassi got the start Thursday and capitalized with a solo home run in the eighth inning to extend the Angels' lead to 4-0. The long ball was Stassi's ninth on the season and first in September. He is slashing .182/.268/.307 through 100 games this season and should continue to be part of the Angels' catching rotation to close the campaign.