MLB Player News

Caratini went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Caratini got the starting assignment with Yu Darvish on the mound for the Padres, and he responded with a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning that snapped a 6-6 deadlock. Caratini also produced an RBI single in the first inning and finished with his first three-hit performance of the season. He is hitting just .221/.306/.311 on the year and is firmly behind Austin Nola in the No. 2 catching role.

Stassi is not in the lineup Thursday against the Astros.

Stassi has started each of the Angels' last two games, during which he's collected one hit and one walk across eight plate appearances. Kurt Suzuki will take over behind the dish and hit seventh in Stassi's place.

Kirk is out of the lineup again Thursday.

The catcher will sit for the second consecutive contest. Over his last 11 games, Kirk has batted .094 with only one home run and two RBI in 32 at-bats. Danny Jansen will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Hedges went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Game 2 of Thursday doubleheader against the White Sox.

Hedges took Reynaldo Lopez deep with a 367-foot shot in the first game of the twin bill to chase the right-hander. The 29-year-old backstop is now facing limited playing time due to a split role with Roberto Perez, who recently returned from the injured list. Across 83 games, Hedges is batting .176/.218/.300 with nine long balls.

Realmuto isn't starting Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Realmuto will get a breather after he went 5-for-16 with a triple, two doubles, four RBI, a run and a stolen base across the last four games. Andrew Knapp will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Barnhart will sit Thursday against Washington.

Barnhart will rest after starting five straight games behind the plate. Tyler Stephenson will take over for him, catching Luis Castillo.

Murphy will sit Thursday against Oakland.

Murphy has settled in as the Mariners' primary catcher down the stretch and owns a .294/.375/.471 slash line over his last 12 games. He'll sit here after starting three straight games behind the plate, with Cal Raleigh set to catch Yusei Kikuchi.

Nola isn't starting Thursday's game against the Giants, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Nola will retreat to the bench for a second straight game. Victor Caratini will start behind the dish and bat eighth with right-hander Yu Darvish on the mound for the Padres.

Diaz will sit Thursday against the Dodgers.

Diaz owns a .999 OPS over his last 10 games. He'll get a rest Thursday, with Dom Nunez set to catch Kyle Freeland.

Smith is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Smith has swung a very hot bat lately, posting a .323/.434/.677 slash line with seven homers over his last 20 games. Austin Barnes takes over behind the plate Thursday and will catch Max Scherzer.