MLB Player News

Kelly is not in the lineup Friday against the Padres.

Kelly started four of the last five games but will take a seat after going 1-for-11 during that stretch. Stephen Vogt will bat seventh and catch for Luke Weaver on Friday.

Barnhart is not in the lineup Friday at Milwaukee.

Barnhart started the last four games but will take a seat after going 0-for-11 during that stretch. Curt Casali will bat fifth and catch for Trevor Bauer in the series opener.

Grandal will sit Friday against Cleveland.

Grandal has handled a heavy workload for a backstop so far this season, as Friday will be just his third time out of the lineup in the team's 14 games. He's been used three times as a designated hitter, which keeps him in the lineup while resting his legs. James McCann takes over behind the plate Friday, while Zack Collins serves as the DH.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's win over the Yankees.

Realmuto got the Phillies off to a strong start with a three-run blast off Jordan Montgomery in the first inning. He singled and came around to score another run in the third frame. Through six games, the backstop is slashing .333/.385/.708 with three homers and eight RBI.

Sanchez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.

Sanchez's availability was questionable heading into the game after he was plunked on the elbow by a pitch Wednesday, but the 27-year-old started behind the plate and cranked his first long ball of the season with a two-run shot to right field in the seventh inning. It may be premature to announce that Sanchez is out of his slump, however, as the backstop struck out two more times Thursday to bring his total to 18 in 29 at-bats on the season.

Stassi went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's win over Seattle.

Stassi plated the Angels' fourth run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and provided a pair of insurance runs with a homer to left field in the eighth. The long ball was the fourth of the season for Stassi, tied for first among major-league catchers. The 29-year-old is already halfway to his career-high total of eight homers established in 2018.

Knizner will be Matt Wieters' primary backup at catcher while Yadier Molina (illness) remains out of action.

Knizner did not see any action over the first five games of the season and has primarily been serving as a bullpen catcher. He'll now ascend to the job of primary backup for the time being, which should afford him some opportunities behind the dish in coming games.

D'Arnaud isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays.

D'Arnaud has been sharing time behind the plate since he returned to action, and he'll sit for the second time in the last three games. Tyler Flowers will start at catcher, batting eighth.

Jansen is not starting Thursday against the Braves.

Jansen has started all but two games behind the dish this season and is hitting .182 (4-for-22) with a home run and 5:7 BB:K. Reese McGuire is starting at catcher and hitting ninth in this one.

Sanchez (elbow) is starting at catcher and hitting eighth Thursday against the Phillies.

Sanchez won't be forced to miss any time after getting hit by a pitch on his elbow Wednesday. The backstop is looking to turn things around following a slow start to the season (2-for-27 with 16 strikeouts through nine appearances).