MLB Player News

Alvarez will join the Mets' big-league roster Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The Mets are in the thick of a tight race for the NL East crown despite a major weakness at the catcher position. James McCann owns a .519 OPS on the season, while Tomas Nido's .598 OPS isn't much better. Exactly what kind of boost the 20-year-old Alvarez can provide right away is unclear, though he's one of the highest-rated catching prospects in the league and has hit .260/.374/.511 with 28 homers in 112 games across the two highest levels of the minors this season, so he certainly has the potential to make an impact.

O'Hoppe will be on the bench Thursday against Oakland.

O'Hoppe was called up for the first time Wednesday and went 1-for-3 in his MLB debut. He won't make back-to-back starts just yet, with Max Stassi taking over behind the plate.

Bart will not start Thursday's game against the Rockies, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Bart has been the Giants' clear primary catcher down the stretch, starting eight of the last 12 games prior to Thursday's contest. He hasn't had much success at the plate over that stretch, however, going 3-for-25 with 14 strikeouts. Austin Wynns will start behind the plate Thursday.

Diaz isn't in the lineup Thursday against San Francisco, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Diaz is getting a breather after he went 4-for-11 with a double, three runs, an RBI, a walk and four strikeouts over the last three games. Brian Serven will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Stallings isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Brewers.

Stallings started the last two games and went 2-for-7 with two RBI, a walk and a strikeout. However, he'll get a breather while Nick Fortes starts behind the plate and bats sixth.

Heim isn't starting Thursday against the Mariners.

Heim is on the bench for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout during Wednesday's loss to Seattle. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Nola isn't starting Thursday against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After going 5-for-11 in his last four games, Nola will get a day off against Los Angeles. Luis Campusano will take over behind the plate for him and bat eighth.

Narvaez isn't starting Thursday against the Marlins.

Narvaez is on the bench for a second consecutive game since left-hander Braxton Garrett is starting for Miami. Victor Caratini will remain behind the dish and bat eighth.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

Diaz was subsequently placed on the Astros' taxi squad, so he will hang around the big-league club in case he's needed in the near future. The young backstop has one hit and a walk over just nine plate appearances this season. He will be replaced on the major-league roster by Jake Meyers, who was called up Thursday from Sugar Land.

Bethancourt is not in the lineup for Thursday's game at Cleveland, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Bethancourt started the past three games and will take a seat after he went 2-for-11 with an RBI, a run and six strikeouts during that span. Francisco Mejia will step in behind the plate and bat ninth in Thursday's series finale.