MLB Player News

Collins is not starting Sunday's series finale against the Orioles.

An 0-for-3 effort Saturday dropped Collins' average to .263 in 19 at-bats this month. Seby Zavala will bat ninth Sunday and catch Dylan Cease for the first time.

Heim went 2-for-5 with two RBI in Saturday's 8-4 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

Heim's RBI single in the eighth propelled the game into extra innings, and his 10th-inning run-producing single forced the game into an 11th inning. Heim has hit well in the absence of Jose Trevino (forearm). The 26-year-old backstop is batting .297 (11-for-37) with four extra-base hits, seven RBI and three runs scored over the last 10 games. He's performed so well that he was recently promoted to the fifth in the order.

Barnes went 0-for-4 with a walk and two runs Saturday in the Dodgers' 22-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Barnes benefited from the rest of the Los Angeles lineup teeing off on the beleaguered Arizona pitching staff, as he came around to score on a pair of extra-base hits with the bases loaded. The veteran backstop's .208/.327/.328 is serviceable enough for a catcher, but he's unlikely to cut into Will Smith's playing time because of it.

Barnhart is on the bench for Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee.

The 30-year-old has started the last four games, collecting four hits and a pair of RBI in 16 at-bats. Barnhart is hitting .306 in his last 36 at-bats dating back to June 22. Tyler Stephenson will catch Luis Castillo and hit fifth Sunday afternoon.

Stallings went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Mets.

The backstop sat out the first game of the twin bill before starting behind the plate in Game 2. He accounted for half of Pittsburgh's runs with a solo shot to left field in the sixth inning. Stallings has now homered in each of his past two games and has launched a career-high seven long balls and 36 RBI so far this season.

Manager Mike Matheny said following Saturday's loss to Cleveland that Perez exited the contest because of tightness in his back, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The issue arose after the backstop dove for a bunt in the third inning. He was initially able to stay in the game, and wound up clubbing a two-run homer in his following at-bat before later departing. Matheny said that Perez will be further evaluated Sunday before his availability for the series finale is determined.

Murphy went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Saturday against the Rangers.

Murphy got the A's on the board in the second inning when he took Texas starter Mike Foltynewicz deep to center field. It was the 11th round-tripper of the year for Murphy, who had gone his previous 10 games without an extra-base hit. The 26-year-old catcher is slashing a disappointing .217/.311/.414 in 280 plate appearances this season, although the 11 homers have helped him drive in 42 runs, tied for second on the team.

Diaz will sit Saturday against the Padres, Daniel Guerrero of MLB.com reports.

Diaz is in the middle of a rare hot streak, slashing .400/.475/.886 over his last 11 games while homering five times. He'll rest Saturday, with Dom Nunez taking over behind the plate.

Smith will sit Saturday against the Diamondbacks, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Smith's bat has gone cold over his last 12 games, as he's hit just .171/.279/.257 over that stretch. He'll sit in favor of Austin Barnes on Saturday.

Caratini (hand) is back in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies.

Caratini left Thursday's game against the Nationals after being hit by a foul ball on his right hand. X-rays came back negative, but the backstop was still absent from Friday's lineup. He'll return to the starting nine as he bats eighth and catches Joe Musgrove on Saturday.