MLB Player News

Perez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Perez started the past four games behind the plate but will take a seat Sunday after going 2-for-9 with one homer, four runs, two RBI and four walks. Austin Hedges will catch for Logan Allen in the series finale.

Heim went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 7-4 loss to San Diego.

Heim's second-inning double snapped an 0-for-34 skid for the Rangers, who were no-hit Friday and last had a base hit in the eighth inning Thursday. He's started three games and is 3-for-11 with two doubles, a home run and three runs scored in relief of Jose Trevino.

Stephenson is playing roughly one-third of the time at catcher behind Tucker Barnhart, though manager David Bell suggested that ratio could change later, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is off to a great start with the bat (5-for-12 with a homer), but so is Barnhart, and Barnhart is the better defensive catcher. As the season progresses, and the Reds face more left-handed starters, Stephenson could work himself into more playing time.

Perez went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run, three walks and four total runs scored in Saturday's 11-3 win over the Tigers.

Perez showed a good eye at the plate Saturday, part of a larger trend that has him hitting .267/.476/.667 across 21 plate appearances. He's knocked two homers with four RBI, five runs scored and six walks drawn in six games. Perez is a strong defensive catcher and should see a majority of the time behind the dish, while Austin Hedges is available to step in when Perez needs a breather.

Stallings went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk in Saturday's win over the Cubs.

Stallings has endured a slow start to the season and even went through a four-game hitless stretch, but he's now reached base at least twice in each of his last two contests. The backstop is not known for his offensive ability and his bat has been lacking in the first few games of this season as well, but he is slowly moving in the right direction, hitting safely in back-to-back games for the first time in 2021.

Realmuto isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Realmuto had started each of the last four games and went 5-for-16 with a home run, five RBI, three runs and four strikeouts during that time. Andrew Knapp will take his place behind the dish Saturday, batting seventh.

Trevino isn't starting Saturday's game against the Padres.

Trevino has gone 7-for-20 with two runs and five strikeouts to begin the season. However, Jonah Heim will start behind the plate and bat seventh Saturday.

Stassi isn't starting Saturday's game against the Blue Jays.

Stassi went 1-for-3 with a run, one walk and one strikeout in Friday's win over the Blue Jays, but he'll take a seat for the second time in the last three games. Kurt Suzuki will start at catcher and bat eighth Saturday.

Caratini isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers.

Caratini caught Joe Musgrove's no-hitter against Texas on Friday, and he'll get a breather for the second game of the series. Luis Campusano will start behind the dish Saturday, batting eighth.

Barnhart went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's win against the Diamondbacks.

Barnhart doubled to drive home a run in the sixth inning, then plated the eventual winning run with a single in the 10th. The backstop extended his hitting streak to five games in the process and has notched consecutive three-hit performances. Barnhart is slashing .444/.474/.778 through 19 plate appearances this season.