MLB Player News
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Austin Barnes C | NYM
Dodgers' Austin Barnes: Homers in loss
Barnes went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Giants.
Barnes got the Dodgers within two runs with his seventh-inning blast. The backup catcher is still seeing limited playing time, but he's posted five multi-hit efforts in 10 games since the start of August. Barnes is up to a .214/.327/.400 slash line with seven homers, 23 RBI, 26 runs scored and two stolen bases through 165 plate appearances this year. Unless something happens to Will Smith, Barnes is unlikely to see much extra playing time.
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Victor Caratini C | MIN
Brewers' Victor Caratini: Drills three-run blast
Caratini went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and a walk in Monday's 6-4 win over Colorado.
Caratini launched the go-ahead shot during Milwaukee's four-run sixth inning. He snapped a 24-game homerless drought with his first long ball since Aug. 4 and ninth on the year. The 29-year-old catcher is now slashing .207/.317/.365 with 17 extra-base hits and 29 RBI through 259 plate appearances.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Out of Monday's lineup
Smith is not in Monday's lineup against the Giants, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.
Smith is hitting .248/.333/.468 with seven home runs, 21 runs, 33 RBI and one steal in 37 games in the second half. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and hit ninth.
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Alejandro Kirk C | TOR
Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Resting for nightcap
Kirk isn't in the lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader with the Orioles.
With George Springer serving as the Blue Jays' designated hitter in Game 2 and Danny Jansen checking in behind the plate, Kirk will retreat to the bench. Kirk caught all nine innings of the Jays' 7-3 win in Game 1, going 0-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.
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Sam Huff C | BAL
Rangers' Sam Huff: Recalled Monday
Huff was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.
Huff appeared in 30 major-league games earlier in the year and hit .260 with a homer, five runs, five RBI and a stolen base. He was sent down in mid-July but will provide depth behind the dish for the Rangers after Meibrys Viloria was optioned to Round Rock on Monday.
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Martin Maldonado C | SD
Astros' Martin Maldonado: Good to go Monday
Maldonado (illness) will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Rangers.
As anticipated, Maldonado is ready to resume catching duties Monday after he was scratched in advance of Sunday's 9-1 win over the Angels due to a minor cold. In his return, Maldonado will form a battery with right-hander Hunter Brown, who is making his MLB debut.
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Elias Diaz C | TEX
Rockies' Elias Diaz: Resting Monday
Diaz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.
The Rockies face a quick turnaround for the series opener with the Brewers, as the Labor Day contest begins at 4:10 p.m. ET following a doubleheader Sunday. Since Diaz caught in the second contest of the twin bill, he'll be getting a breather for the afternoon game after a night game. Brian Serven will replace him behind the plate.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Sitting again Monday
McGuire will sit Monday versus the Rays.
McGuire will take a seat for a second game in a row Monday as the Red Sox start their three-game series with the Rays. Kevin Plawecki will step in behind the dish Monday and is part of what's become a three-way timeshare at catcher with Boston bringing up Connor Wong from Triple-A Worcester as one of its September call-ups.