MLB Player News

Barnhart is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.

The Reds will stick with the exact same top eight for the third straight game (against a third straight lefty). Tyler Stephenson remains behind the plate and in the two hole against southpaw Matthew Boyd.

Perez (neck) will start behind the plate and bat third Saturday against the White Sox.

Perez left Friday's game with a bruised neck after getting hit by a foul ball, but he's ready to go without missing a single start. That's great news for the Royals, as Perez has been particularly hot over his last 24 games, homering 11 times while hitting .287/.376/.678.

Wong was optioned to Triple-A Worcester following Friday night's game against Cleveland.

The Red Sox continue to shuffle the roster with several players on the COVID-19 IL. They swapped out Wong for Taylor Motter, who can cover more spots amidst the ongoing absences. Christian Vazquez and Kevin Plawecki will be left as the only catchers on the depth chart, though chances are Wong rejoins them later this month.

Perez left Friday's game versus the White Sox with a neck contusion.

Perez was struck by a ball while catching in the seventh inning, and it was enough for manager Mike Matheny to pull him from the game in favor of Cam Gallagher. It's unclear if Perez will be good to go for Saturday's game or if he'll need to sit out at least one contest.

Contreras (knee) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Contreras has been deemed good to go after completing a three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa, during which he went 2-for-11 with a pair of homers. He has been on the shelf since Aug. 11 with a right knee sprain. It's been a disappointing past couple seasons for Contreras, but he's a two-time All-Star and there are no questions about his role down the stretch. Next season will be his last before free agency.

McCann (back) was reinstated from the 10-day IL and will serve as the 29th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

McCann will be back behind the plate for the second game of the twin bill after Patrick Mazeika catches for Marcus Stroman in the matinee. Year 1 of McCann's four-year, $40.6 million contract has been a disaster for the Mets, as he's slashing .240/.303/.357 with nine homers and 93 strikeouts through 337 plate appearances. He should still be the primary starter behind the plate over the remainder of the season assuming his lower back doesn't flare up again.

Sanchez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles.

Kyle Higashioka takes over behind the plate to catch for starter Jordan Montgomery in the early afternoon contest after Sanchez caught Friday night's game. Sanchez is hitting .200/.238.300 with one home run and four RBI in 11 games since returning from the COVID-19 injured list.

Hedges went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 8-5 loss to Boston.

The 29-year-old tied the game at 3-3 with his seventh-inning blast, but Boston responded in its half of the frame with a five-run rally. Hedges has gone deep three times in his last seven games, and he's up to eight homers on the year. He's added 27 RBI, 25 runs scored, a stolen base and a .184/.229/.307 slash line in 252 plate appearances.

Plawecki went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-5 win over Cleveland.

The catcher started for the first time in five games, and he delivered a solo shot in the second inning off Cleveland starter Cal Quantrill. Plawecki had gone just 2-for-15 across his last seven contests (four starts). He's been solid as Christian Vazquez's understudy, as Plawecki has two homers, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored and a .297/.362/.398 slash line through 142 plate appearances.

Raleigh isn't starting Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Raleigh has gone 0-for-7 with a strikeout across his last three appearances and will be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Tom Murphy will start behind the plate and bat sixth.