MLB Player News

Caratini is not starting Wednesday against Cleveland.

Caratini has been in the lineup for the majority of the Cubs' games this season but doesn't have close to an everyday role, as he's started 31 out of 50 contests thus far. Willson Contreras will be the catcher Wednesday, with Kyle Schwarber serving as the designated hitter.

Narvaez will start at catcher and will bat ninth in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

Jacob Nottingham will presumably get the nod behind the plate in the nightcap, continuing what has been a timeshare at catcher between the two for much of September. Narvaez was the starter in Tuesday's 18-3 win, finishing 1-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs in the blowout.

Stallings is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Reds.

Stallings has been the clear primary catcher for the Pirates this season, starting two-thirds of the team's 48 games thus far. His .267/.245/.386 slash line is perfectly adequate for a backstop. John Ryan Murphy starts in his place Wednesday.

Realmuto (hip) remains on the bench Wednesday against the Mets.

Realmuto still hasn't played since injuring his hip Saturday, though the fact that he's yet to be placed on the injured list in theory suggests that he won't be out for too much longer. Andrew Knapp starts behind the plate again Wednesday.

Mejia (thumb) was activated from the injured list Wednesday.

Mejia missed a month with a bruised left thumb. While he was out, the Padres acquired both Austin Nola and Jason Castro, so he could be buried down the depth chart for the stretch run. The fact that he was hitting .079/.146/.184 in 16 games prior to the injury certainly doesn't help his case for playing time, though he'll remain at least a bench option for now. Abraham Almonte was optioned in a corresponding move.

Gallagher is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Since Salvador Perez (eye) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Gallagher has predictably moved back into a reserve role. He'll be on the bench for the fifth straight game Wednesday.

Nola will sit Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Nola has handled a heavy workload since joining the Padres in a trade from the Mariners at the deadline, as Wednesday's day off will be just his third since the move. Jason Castro starts behind the plate in his absence.

Smith has hit fourth or fifth in the order in each of his last three games, and manager Dave Roberts stated that he prefers the backstop in that area of the lineup, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Smith began the season hitting in the lower part of the order but has worked his way up due to an improved approach at the plate this season. "As far as Will in the middle of the order, I think his at-bat quality has been consistent, the on-base, using the whole field," Roberts said. "As we look out, to finish the season and into the postseason, I just want to count on the certainty of a quality at-bat." Smith was slated to bat fifth Tuesday -- as he had in his previous two starts -- but was moved up to the cleanup spot after Max Muncy was removed from the lineup in order to get a day of rest. Smith has been among the Dodgers' most effective hitters this season, slashing .300/.424/.600 with six home runs and 15 RBI. He has already matched his walk total (18) from last season -- in nearly 100 fewer at-bats -- while reducing his strikeout rate from 26.5 percent to 13.1 percent.

Heim is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Heim had started in four of the Athletics' past six games, but he'll give way to Sean Murphy behind the dish in the series finale. Despite his recent surge in playing time, Heim still looks like the No. 2 backstop behind Murphy, who has began to heat up of late with a .391 average, four home runs and a 6:6 BB:K in September.

Casali will start at catcher and will bat ninth Wednesday against the Pirates.

He'll be behind the dish for the second time in the series while top backstop Tucker Barnhart rests. Barnhart's greater familiarity with the Cincinnati pitching staff and his ability to control the run game may be enough to maintain his spot atop the depth chart, but if the 24-26 Reds fade from the playoff race during the final week of the season, manager David Bell could hand more starts to Casali or Tyler Stephenson.