MLB Player News

Contreras (knee) played catch and went through some agility drills before Monday's game against the Reds.

Contreras first sustained his knee sprain during pregame catching drills Thursday, so it's good to see him get in some activity before a game, even if it's light. The catcher will be out until next week at least, and with the team squarely outside of the playoff hunt, they likely won't rush him back into a heavy workload anytime soon.

Nelson has been promoted to High-A Dayton by the Reds, where he made his debut Saturday. Unfortunately, he was hit by a pitch in his final plate appearance Saturday and did not play Sunday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Nelson spent a good chunk of time at the Reds' complex in Arizona after getting drafted 30th overall in July, playing just two games in rookie ball before this weekend. It's a strong vote of confidence for the team to allow him to skip Low-A altogether, especially considering his defensive position and the fact that strikeouts were his main weakness at Florida State.

Nido was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left thumb Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Nido had been out of the lineup in three of the last four games, and he's apparently dealing with a thumb injury that will force him to miss at least 10 days. Patrick Mazeika was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to serve as catching depth behind James McCann.

Smith isn't starting Monday's game against the Pirates, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith was dominant during the Dodgers' weekend series against the Mets, as he went 4-for-12 with three homers, seven RBI and three runs during the three-game span. Austin Barnes will take his place at catcher and bat eighth.

Wong was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports

It's the third straight day with a roster transaction for Wong, and this time he'll return to Triple-A with Christian Vazquez and Kevin Plawecki healthy. Wong has appeared in six games for the Red Sox this season and is 4-for-13 with a triple, a double, an RBI and three runs.

Garver is not in the lineup Monday against Cleveland.

Garver started the past three games and will head to the bench for the series opener versus Cleveland. Ryan Jeffers will work behind the plate and bat eighth for Minnesota.

Jackson is not in the lineup Monday against Atlanta, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Jackson has a .162/.225/.432 slash line in 12 games since being acquired by the Marlins, and he finds himself on the bench for the second straight contest. Jackson has been working as Miami's primary catcher with Jorge Alfaro seeing regular action in left field, but the return of Jesus Sanchez (COVID-19 injured list) may return in Jackson and Alfaro seeing a more even split behind the plate.

Murphy is out of the lineup Monday against the White Sox.

Murphy started the past two games and will receive a day off after going 1-for-8 with a double and an RBI. Yan Gomes will start behind the plate in his place Monday.

Maldonado isn't starting Monday against the Royals, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado went 0-for-2 with a walk in Sunday's loss to the Angels, and he'll be on the bench for the second time in the last three games. Jason Castro will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and a walk in Sunday's 14-4 win over the Mets.

Smith blasted a solo home run in the first inning off Carlos Carrasco. The catcher homered for the third day in a row. In addition, he added an eighth-inning single that drove in a pair of runs. On the season, he is slashing .266/.377/.502 with 18 long balls, 59 RBI and 53 runs scored in 368 plate appearances.