MLB Player News

Stephenson (thumb) participated in batting practice on the field at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Manager David Bell recently said he hopes Stephenson will begin a rehab assignment within the next week, and the catcher's participating at batting practice Wednesday is an encouraging sign for his outlook. The 25-year-old will likely need to advance to facing live pitching before being cleared for game action in the minors.

Gomes isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Colorado.

Gomes started in the last six games but hit just .185 with a run and a strikeout. Willson Contreras is starting behind the plate while Rafael Ortega takes over in left field.

Herrera isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Herrera started in the last three games and went 2-for-9 with two walks and three strikeouts. Andrew Knizner is taking over behind the dish and batting ninth Wednesday.

Murphy (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Murphy's move to the 60-day IL is simply procedural, as the Mariners announced last week that the catcher will require season-ending shoulder surgery. Luis Torrens (shoulder) landed on the 10-day IL on Monday, so Andrew Knapp is on the active roster to serve as the primary backup to Cal Raleigh behind the plate.

Barnhart isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Barnhart has alternated starts behind the plate recently, and he'll take a seat after he went 0-for-2 in Tuesday's loss to San Francisco. Eric Haase is starting at catcher and batting fifth.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Diaz continued his recent power surge, popping his third homer in his last seven starts. He's also tallied eight RBI and four runs scored in that span to put together the most productive stretch of his season. Diaz now has five home runs for the campaign while hitting .225 across 184 plate appearances.

Heim isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Kansas City.

Heim started in the last three games and went 4-for-12 with a homer, three RBI, two runs and a strikeout. Meibrys Viloria is taking over behind the dish and batting ninth.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

With Oakland concluding its series in New York with a day game after a night game, Murphy will get a breather after he was behind the plate for both of the past two evenings. Stephen Vogt will catch for starting pitcher Cole Irvin on Wednesday.

McCann isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against Houston.

McCann went 1-for-11 with a run, an RBI, a walk and three strikeouts over his three games since returning to the field. Tomas Nido is drawing the start behind the plate and batting ninth Wednesday.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

With the Brewers wrapping up their series with a day game after a night game and a southpaw (Jalen Beeks) scheduled to start for Tampa Bay, it comes as little surprise that the lefty-hitting Narvaez takes a seat. Victor Caratini will handle catching duties Wednesday after Narvaez went 1-for-3 with a walk while starting behind the dish in Tuesday's 5-3 win.