MLB Player News

Barnes went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI in a loss to the Phillies on Friday.

Barnes started for the third time in five days with primary catcher Will Smith nursing a pectoral issue. The backup backstop responded with his first three-hit effort of the campaign. Barnes has seen limited action this season, but he has hit well when given the chance, compiling a .286/.359/.600 slash line with three homers, eight RBI and seven runs through 39 plate appearances.

Hedges went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 12-8 loss to the Twins.

Hedges' fifth-inning blast tied the game at 2-2, but the offense was just getting started on both sides. The catcher has been solid in May, going 6-for-24 (.250) with three RBI and three runs scored in seven games. Overall, he owns a .176/.238/.297 slash line with three homers, seven RBI, eight runs scored and a stolen base in 82 plate appearances. His defensive work behind the dish will keep him in the lineup more often than backup Luke Maile.

Casali went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Friday's 8-2 win over the Cardinals.

Casali capped off a five-run eighth inning with his blast off Cardinals reliever T.J. McFarland. This was Casali's first homer of the season, and just his third extra-base hit. The catcher is slashing a solid .256/.333/.372 with five RBI, four runs scored and two doubles through 48 plate appearances. He'll likely continue to split time behind the dish with Joey Bart, though Casali's been the more consistent of the Giants' two backstops in recent games.

Smith is managing a pectoral issue but will return to the lineup Saturday against the Phillies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The pectoral problem will send Smith to the bench Friday, but the issue doesn't seem to be a major one. He'll get one more day off from catching, as he's expected to be the designated hitter Saturday, but he's penciled in as the Dodgers' catcher for the team's next three games.

Smith will sit Friday against the Phillies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith sits after going 3-for-4 with a walk and three RBI in Friday's series opener. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate.

Murphy (shoulder) took swings in the cage Friday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Murphy has been on the injured list with a dislocated left shoulder for nearly a week, and manager Scott Servais said Friday that the backstop isn't yet feeling 100 percent. The Mariners are currently on a road trip that runs through next Sunday, and Servais indicated that it's possible Murphy will be able to return sometime late in the road trip.

Bart is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bart and Curt Casali have alternated turns behind the plate over the last six games. Casali will catch for Logan Webb on Friday, but Bart should return to the lineup Saturday if the pattern continues.

Bethancourt went 1-for-3 with a two-run single in a win over the Tigers on Thursday.

One game after forging a three-hit effort that included two RBI, Bethancourt continued producing with a first-inning single that brought home both Jed Lowrie and Sheldon Neuse. Bethancourt has been a serviceable contributor during the ongoing absence of Stephen Vogt (knee), posting a .250 average and seven RBI over 61 plate appearances.

Jansen (oblique) could be activated Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen has been out for over a month with a strained left oblique. He's played in rehab games for three straight days, grabbing one hit in each, and it looks like that might be all he needs. He'll presumably reclaim the starting catcher role upon his return, pushing Alejandro Kirk to the designated hitter spot on a regular basis.

Higashioka will sit Friday against the White Sox, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Higashioka started five of the first six games of the season behind the dish for the Yankees, but he and Jose Trevino have split time exactly evenly since then, each starting 13 times. Trevino will be the starting backstop Friday, catching for Gerrit Cole.