MLB Player News

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

The Reds included Stephenson in the lineup in four of the past six games, but all but one of those starts came when the opposition brought lefty pitchers to the hill. Stephenson looks like he'll be stuck in a short-side platoon role while both Tucker Barnhart and Joey Votto are healthy.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Wednesday that d'Arnaud (thumb) is "right on track" in his recovery and has been cleared to take one-handed swings off a batting tee, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Though d'Arnaud continues to sport a cast on his surgically repaired left thumb, the covering is removable, which allows him to take part in swinging as part of his rehab. Atlanta is optimistic that d'Arnaud will be ready to return from the 60-day injured list at some point in August, but for now, William Contreras is locked in as the club's No. 1 catcher.

Narvaez went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 5-0 win over the Rockies.

Narvaez gave the Brewers some breathing room with a two-run blast in the sixth to put them up 3-0. It was his seventh home run of the year and his first since June 5. The 29-year-old backstop is slashing .301/.391/.474 with 16 extra-base hits, 23 RBI, 25 runs scored and a 22:37 BB:K over 202 plate appearances.

Grandal is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Game 2 against the Mariners on Sunday.

The 32-year-old caught the final six frames of Saturday's suspended contest early Sunday, and he'll shift to first base for the second game with Jose Abreu (knee) sitting out. Grandal went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and a run during Game 1.

Grandal is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Grandal caught the final the final six innings of Saturday's suspended game, so he'll move to first base after going 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and a run. Zack Collins will work behind the plate in the nightcap.

Vazquez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a sacrifice fly in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Yankees.

The catcher has gone 7-for-13 with a home run, four RBI and a stolen base in his last four games. Vazquez has lifted his batting average to .269 with three straight multi-hit efforts. He's added four home runs, 32 RBI, 28 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 253 plate appearances this year.

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.