MLB Player News

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Reds.

Contreras popped his 17th home run of the season in the fifth inning against Cincinnati starter Luis Castillo with a runner on. The Chicago catcher will remain a key part of the team's lineup unless he's moved before Friday's deadline, as the Cubs already traded Anthony Rizzo Thursday and could continue to move on from some of their core players.

Ruiz will be traded from the Dodgers to the Nationals on Thursday along with Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey in exchange for Trea Turner (COVID-19) and Max Scherzer, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz has been among the Dodgers' best prospects for several seasons, but he has been blocked from consistent playing time in the majors by Will Smith and Austin Barnes. He should have the chance to make an impact with the Nationals prior to the close of the season and could take over as their primary catcher within the next year or two. Ruiz has hit .310/.379/.624 across 235 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season.

Diaz is not in the lineup Thursday against the Angels.

Diaz started the past two games and will receive a day off after going 2-for-9 with a double, a walk, an RBI and two runs. Dom Nunez will start behind the plate Thursday.

McGuire will start at catcher and bat ninth Thursday against the Red Sox.

McGuire and Alejandro Kirk have been working in a timeshare at catcher since the latter was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on July 23 to replace the injured Danny Jansen (hamstring). With a .175/.195/.200 slash line in July, McGuire hasn't performed well enough to justify a larger portion of the catching load.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Kirk will take a seat for the series finale, allowing Reese McGuire to pick up a start behind the plate. The two backstops have been working in a timeshare since Kirk was called up from Triple-A Buffalo, and that arrangement will likely remain in place until one of the two catchers performs dramatically better than the other.

Narvaez isn't starting Thursday against the Pirates.

Even with right-hander Chad Kuhl starting for the Pirates on Thursday, Narvaez will get a breather after he went 4-for-10 with a home run, a double, four RBI and three runs across the last two games. Manny Pina will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Stallings had caught each of the Pirates' last three games, so he's most likely just getting a maintenance day as Pittsburgh wraps up its series with Milwaukee. Michael Perez will check in behind the dish and form a battery with Chad Kuhl on Thursday.

Barrera was recalled from Triple-A Rochester as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Barrera was sent down Wednesday, but he'll start behind the plate in the second game of Thursday's twin bill. The 26-year-old has hit .323 with a home run, two doubles, four runs and two RBI since the All-Star break.

Realmuto will sit for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Realmuto sits after going 1-for-3 with a solo homer in the first contest, providing the only run the Phillies would score in their 3-1 loss. Rafael Marchan will replace him behind the plate.

Smith will sit Thursday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith hits the bench after starting six of the last seven games behind the plate. Austin Barnes takes over in his absence.