MLB Player News

Barnhart is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Sunday's game against the Orioles.

After a day off Saturday, Barnhart will return for the series finale Sunday, with Eric Haase headed back to the bench. Barnhart is batting .271 this season, though he's yet to hit a home run and has only three RBI, so he hasn't been particularly productive with his hits.

Stephenson (head) cleared concussion testing and is available off the bench Sunday against the Pirates, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson has already suffered one concussion this season and three for his career, so it's good news he's cleared the testing protocols after taking a foul ball off his mask Saturday. He's out of the lineup Sunday and will also have the Reds' scheduled day off Monday to rest up for the upcoming three-game set with the Guardians, which begins Tuesday. Aramis Garcia is starting behind the plate Sunday and batting seventh.

Haase went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's win over the Orioles.

It's mostly been a struggle this season for Haase, who's batting just .170 with a .543 OPS, though he does have hits in his last two appearances, which is a small step in the right direction. Haase has two home runs this year after blasting 22 long balls in 2021, and he'll need to start seeing more playing time if he wants to approach that figure in 2022.

Gomes went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two total RBI in Saturday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Gomes hit a homer in the fourth inning, his second of the season, to tie the score at 1-1. He then singled home a run in the ninth inning to put the Cubs ahead 2-1 in a game they ended up winning 4-2. Gomes is behind Willson Contreras in the catching pecking order, though both players have logged some time at DH to get their bats in the lineup at the same time.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Higashioka and Jose Trevino have alternated starts over the past six games, and that trend will continue Sunday after Higashioka went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and a strikeout during Saturday's 3-2 loss to Chicago.

Grandal is not in Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.

He has yet to get going at the dish this season and is hitting .162 with a .354 OBP and zero home runs in 11 games this month. Reese McGuire will start at catcher and hit eighth.

Jansen is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rays.

He returned Saturday after missing four weeks with an oblique strain and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and a walk. Alejandro Kirk will start behind the dish while George Springer starts at designated hitter.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz started the past four games and will receive a day off after going 4-for-14 with two walks, an RBI and four runs during that stretch. Riley Adams will catch for Patrick Corbin and bat eighth in the series finale.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Stallings started the past three games and will receive a day off for the series finale versus Milwaukee. Payton Henry will take over behind the plate, forming a battery with Elieser Hernandez.

Stephenson (head) is out of Sunday's lineup against the Pirates.

He passed initial concussion tests Saturday night after taking a foul ball off his facemask. Considering Stephenson has suffered three concussions in his career, the Reds will tread carefully here, so it's not surprising he is getting at least one day off ahead of Monday's off day. Aramis Garcia is starting behind the dish, batting seventh.