MLB Player News

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two strikeouts in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Cubs.

Perez drew the start Thursday after he had been on the bench in five of the last six games, and he blasted his third home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning. The 28-year-old has now homered in each of his last two games but has served as the clear backup catching option behind Jacob Stallings.

Murphy went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Rangers.

Murphy opened the scoring with his third inning solo shot off Texas starter Kolby Allard, walked in the fifth and singled and scored in the seventh for his second game reaching base three times this year. The backstop appeared primed for a prominent role after posting an .858 OPS in 2019 but has struggled to .157/.219/.371 line thus far.

Sanchez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in a win in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.

The multi-hit effort was Sanchez's fourth this season. He's still slashing just .188/.311/.375 on the year, but Kyle Higashioka hasn't done much with his increased opportunities behind the plate (.194/.299/.478), so Sanchez's playing time shouldn't take too big of a hit with the return of Giancarlo Stanton (quad) from the injured list.

Smith isn't starting Thursday's game against the Giants, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith had started each of the last three games and went 3-for-13 with three runs, a walk and two strikeouts during that time. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Godoy isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Godoy had started three of the last four games and went 2-for-10 with a run, an RBI, a walk and two strikeouts during that time. Tom Murphy will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Nola will be placed on the 10-day injured list due to a slight knee sprain, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Nola had been held out of the lineup for four of the last five games, and manager Jayce Tingler revealed that the catcher has been dealing with a knee issue. However, Tingler was encouraged by Nola's diagnosis and said that the 31-year-old could return after a couple weeks. Victor Caratini should serve as the primary catcher going forward, while the team will likely call up a third catcher once Nola is officially placed on the injured list.

Barnhart isn't starting Thursday's game against the Nationals.

The Reds and Nationals finished a suspended game Thursday afternoon, so Barnhart will get a breather for the nightcap. Tyler Stephenson will start at catcher while Alex Blandino starts at first base.

Jansen isn't starting Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Jansen went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts in Tuesday's matchup. Reese McGuire will start behind the plate and bat ninth in Thursday's matinee.

Sanchez isn't starting Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.

Sanchez went 0-for-7 with a run, a walk and three strikeouts across the last two games. Kyle Higashioka will start behind the plate and bat ninth in the matinee.

Mejia will sit for the second straight day Thursday against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia and Mike Zunino have split time very evenly this season when both have been healthy, so the fact that Zunino has now started three times in four games doesn't necessarily indicate a shift in the balance between the pair. Mejia owns a career-best .784 OPS so far this year, though Zunino has outperformed him, posting an .869 OPS, another career best.