MLB Player News

The Reds selected Banfield's contract Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville.

Banfield will remain in the minors despite joining the 40-man roster, claiming the spot that previously belonged to P.J. Higgins. Banfield has spent the entire season at Louisville while slashing .281/.337/.439 with six home runs, 34 RBI and 26 runs across 189 plate appearances. He'd likely be promoted if Tyler Stephenson or Jose Trevino were to miss any amount of time.

Higgins cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Louisville.

After losing his place on the active roster Sunday following Jose Trevino's return from the injured list, Higgins will now also be booted off the Reds' 40-man roster. The 33-year-old backstop posted a .545 OPS across 14 games with the big club and hasn't been better since moving to Triple-A, slashing just .125/.375/.125 over 48 plate appearances. Fellow catcher Will Banfield was selected to the 40-man roster in a corresponding move.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Guardians.

It's a rare day off for Contreras, but he will get some rest for Thursday's afternoon game after starting the previous five tilts. Gary Sanchez will do the catching and bat sixth as the Brewers go for the series sweep.

Bailey is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.

Bailey started Wednesday's night game at catcher, so he'll get a breather during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Austin Hedges will grab a start behind the dish as the Guardians look to avoid the sweep.

Alvarez went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI in Wednesday's win over the Reds.

Getting the start at DH and batting sixth, Alvarez delivered his first three-hit performance of 2026. The 24-year-old backstop has hit safely in six of seven games since returning in early June from knee surgery, batting .320 (8-for-25) in that span with a homer, two runs and three RBI.

Mack went 2-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run and two additional runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.

The rookie catcher took Tanner Banks deep in the sixth inning, one of five Miami homers in as 12-4 rout. Mack has gone yard twice in his last three games, and through 12 contests in June, he's slashing .361/.452/.667 with two doubles, three home runs, eight runs and 10 RBI as he solidifies his spot as the team's catcher of both the present and the future.

Kirk is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Boston.

Kirk started behind the dish each of the last three games, so he will get some rest during Thursday's matinee. Brandon Valenzuela will start at catcher and bat eighth as the Blue Jays look to complete the series sweep.

Baldwin went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in a loss to the Giants during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

The first-inning long ball off Adrian Houser was hit Tuesday, but the game wasn't actually completed until Wednesday due to inclement weather. Baldwin started at catcher in the contest, then went 1-for-5 with a run scored as the DH in the nightcap --although he did strike out in five of his plate appearances during the twin bill as he works to regain his timing after missing four weeks due to an oblique strain. Through 50 games this season, Baldwin's slashing .298/.381/.540 with 14 homers, 39 RBI and 41 runs.

The Angels optioned Porter to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

He's clearing out to make space on the roster for Tyler Heineman, who was acquired via trade to serve as top catcher Logan O'Hoppe's backup. Porter went 1-for-4 with a double during his brief time in the big leagues.

Atlanta optioned Camargo to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Camargo was the 27th man on the roster Wednesday and went 1-for-2 with a double in the nightcap of a doubleheader versus the Giants. He returns to Gwinnett, where the 26-year-old has a .581 OPS with two home runs this season.