MLB Player News

Stassi (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Stassi spent just under two weeks on the IL, and he'll rejoin the Angels after going 3-for-8 with a homer, a double, two runs, two RBI and two strikeouts over two rehab games at Single-A Inland Empire. The 31-year-old should serve as the Angels' primary catcher now that he's back to full health.

Knizner will start at catcher and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Blue Jays, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Knizner is likely to draw both of the starts behind the plate during the Cardinals' two-game series with the Blue Jays while top backstop Yadier Molina (personal) is back in Puerto Rico to tend to a family matter after being placed on the bereavement list. By catchers' standards, Knizner has been productive when given opportunities to play this season, as he carries a .262/.357/.361 slash line over 70 plate appearances into Monday's contest.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

He'll retreat to the bench after he caught in three of the Blue Jays' last four games while going 1-for-10 with two strikeouts during that stretch. Jansen will give way to Alejandro Kirk behind the dish in the series opener.

Hedges isn't starting Monday against the Astros.

Hedges will get a breather after he went 2-for-11 with a double, a run and three strikeouts over the last four games. Luke Maile will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Murphy will refrain from participation in baseball activities for 10 days due to a lack of responsiveness from his injured left shoulder, Craig Forde of MLB.com reports. "He's not ready to go," manager Scott Servais said. "As much as he's tried to push it and as hard as he's worked, it just hasn't picked up the momentum it's needed to."

The veteran backstop therefore looks likely to be sidelined until early-to-mid-June at the earliest. Murphy had been enjoying a fruitful start to the season that included a .303 average, .894 OPS and a 19.5 percent walk rate, but he'll be out for at least a couple more weeks and is now likely to need a multi-game rehab assignment before he's deemed ready for activation.

Barnhart isn't starting Monday against the Twins.

Barnhart started in the last three games and went 2-for-10 with a run and two strikeouts. Eric Haase will take over behind the dish and bat eighth.

Sanchez isn't starting Monday against the Tigers.

Sanchez will get a day off after starting in the last nine games. During that time, he hit .286 with three homers, six doubles, 12 RBI and four runs. Trevor Larnach will serve as the designated hitter while Nick Gordon starts in left field Monday.

The Cardinals recalled Herrera from Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Herrera is expected to be in store for a short-term stay with the Cardinals, as fellow backstop Yadier Molina (personal) will be away from the team for 3-to-7 days after being placed on the bereavement list. While Molina is inactive, Herrera will serve as the No. 2 catcher behind Andrew Knizner. Herrera, 21, is slashing .310/.405/.493 over 84 plate appearances with Memphis this season.

Contreras (hamstring) isn't starting Monday's game against the Reds.

Contreras suffered a right hamstring strain during Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks, and he's considered day-to-day. He isn't expected to require a trip to the injured list, per Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago. With Contreras out of the lineup for a second straight game, Yan Gomes will start behind the dish and bat fifth.

Contreras will bat second and play left field Monday against the Phillies.

Contreras has homered six times in 10 games this season, but he doesn't have a path to a major role behind the plate with Travis d'Arnaud hitting well and under contract through at least the end of next season. Contreras' inclusion in the lineup as an outfielder Monday is a clear sign that Atlanta wants to create as many opportunities for him as possible. He's only appeared in two games in the outfield as a professional, but he's a strong athlete for a catcher and should be able to hold his own.