MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cubs, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Smith is 3-for-20 over his past seven games and will head to the bench Sunday. Austin Barnes will catch for Clayton Kershaw and bat eighth.

Murphy is not starting Sunday against San Francisco, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Murphy will yield the catching duties to Aramis Garcia after going hitless across eight at-bats during the first two games of the series. He could be an option for Bob Melvin off the bench, however.

Trevino is not starting Sunday's game against Kansas City,

Trevino will get a breather for the second time in three games. Jonah Heim will work behind the plate and bat eighth.

Hedges is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Twins.

Hedges returned from a concussion Thursday, but after starting Thursday and Friday, he'll begin the game on the bench for the second day in a row. Rene Rivera will take over catching duties and bat eighth Sunday.

Maldonado is not starting Sunday against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Jason Castro will take over behind the dish as Maldonado rests his legs during the series finale.

Stassi is not in the starting lineup against the Rays on Sunday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Kurt Suzuki will handle the catching duties as Stassi gets a rest during the series finale.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins.

Gomes will receive Sunday off after starting the past three games and going 2-for-10 with two walks, a run and five strikeouts. Alex Avila will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Contreras is not in the lineup Sunday against the Reds.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double Saturday and will head to the bench for the series finale after starting the past two games. Kevan Smith will take over behind the plate for Atlanta.

Sanchez is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Sanchez will get a breather after starting the first two games of the weekend series. Kyle Higashioka will catch Gerrit Cole and bat ninth.

Wong went 1-for-3 in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Yankees.

Wong made his first start in the majors and singled in his first at-bat, going the other way on a 3-2 pitch on the outside of the zone. More impressively, Wong guided Nathan Eovaldi through 7.2 dominant innings. The two are from the Houston area and worked out together during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, so there is some familiarity.