MLB Player News

Smith (neck) will be activated off the injured list to start Sunday against the Rockies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old took at-bats and saw time behind the plate at the alternate training site Friday, which proved to be the final step before returning from the bout of neck inflammation. Smith was off to a slow start with a .188/.341/.406 slash line through 41 plate appearances, while Austin Barnes has a 1.021 OPS in his past nine games. Smith should reclaim the primary role behind the plate, but there could be a more even split of playing time if his struggles persist.

Maldonado isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Padres.

Maldonado has seen the majority of the playing time at catcher, but he'll get a day off for the team's second game against the Padres. Dustin Garneau will start behind the plate Saturday.

Bart will head to the bench Saturday after starting in back-to-back games following his Thursday promotion, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bart will head to the bench after going 2-for-7 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI in his first two starts. Chadwick Tromp will get the nod behind the plate in favor of Bart on Saturday.

Jansen is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. Reese McGuire will get the start behind the dish in his place.

Jansen will now have sat out for three of the last five games for the Blue Jays as it appears his struggles at the plate (.151/.303/.283) are forcing manager Charlie Montoyo to shift to more of a timeshare behind the dish.

D'Arnaud isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Phillies.

D'Arnaud went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs during Friday's contest, but he'll get a day off Saturday. Tyler Flowers will start behind the plate and bat eighth.

Barnhart isn't starting Saturday against the Cardinals.

Barnhart got the starting nod behind the dish during the past two games and went 1-for-6 with two walks and two strikeouts. Curt Casali will handle the catching duties Saturday.

Murphy is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Murphy will head back to the bench after four consecutive starts behind the dish. Austin Allen will get his routine start at catcher in Murphy's absence Saturday.

Narvaez isn't starting Saturday against the Pirates.

With southpaw Derek Holland on the mound for the Pirates, Narvaez will take a seat for the second game of the series. Manny Pina will serve as the starting catcher Saturday.

D'Arnaud went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Phillies.

He took Aaron Nola deep in the third inning to give Atlanta a 2-1 lead, and the team would pile on nine more runs from there. The veteran catcher remains locked in at the plate, and d'Arnaud is slashing .344/.369/.623 with four homers and a whopping 17 RBI through 15 games.

Grandal went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-1 win over the Cubs.

Grandal returned to the lineup after missing three games with a back injury and hit his second homer of the season. He slotted in at second in the batting order while Yoan Moncada sat due to leg soreness. Grandal is slashing .235/.349/.368 over 83 plate appearances.