MLB Player News

Davis was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs were carrying four healthy catchers, so Davis probably benefits more from being at Triple-A for the Iowa Cubs' playoff run than to ride the bench in the majors. Once Iowa's season is over, he will likely head back up to the majors.

Garver (jaw) is starting at catcher and hitting sixth Thursday against the Red Sox.

Garver has been cleared to rejoin the lineup for Thursday's series finale after missing the past two games with a sore jaw, which he suffered after taking a foul tip to the mask Monday. Through 78 games this season, the backstop is slashing .273/.356/.618 with a career-high 26 home runs and 57 RBI.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett and placed on the 60-day injured list with a left knee sprain Thursday.

With less than a month left in the season, this effectively ends Jackson's 2019 campaign. The backstop spent most of the season with Gwinnett, slashing .229/.313/.533 with 28 home runs and a 34.2 percent strikeout rate in 85 games. Darren O'Day (forearm) was activated from the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

Stassi is not starting Thursday against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi will stick on the bench for a second straight game as the Angels continue to rotate between three catchers. Kevan Smith is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth in this one.

Murphy made his first major-league start in a win over the Angels on Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run.

Manager Bob Melvin had previously announced Murphy would make his highly anticipated big-league debut either Wednesday or Thursday, and he quickly made good on that promise. The promising backstop launched a 409-foot solo shot off Jake Jewell in the fifth inning for his first big-league hit and could eventually work his way up from the eighth spot in the order, out of which he operated against the Angels.

Diaz's solo homer ignited a ninth-inning rally in a 6-5 win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

With just two home runs to his credit, the catcher's offensive production has fallen off a cliff since 2018. An undisclosed viral infection delayed his season's start and it's possible that he never fully recovered. Whatever the case, Diaz's disappointing campaign includes a slash line of .254/.306/.325 in 291 plate appearances and his platoon role for 2020 is not guaranteed.

McCann is not in Thursday's lineup against the Indians.

Of the three catchers on the White Sox's roster, McCann is the odd man out in this one. Welington Castillo will start behind the dish while Zack Collins gets a start at first base.

Mejia (oblique) played catch up to 90 feet and participated in defensive and agility drills Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Manager Andy Green indicated that Mejia is still on track for a return this year as long as he continues to progress. The 23-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain Aug. 30. He is hitting .263 with eight homers in 205 at-bats this season.

Barnhart is not in Thursday's lineup against the Phillies.

He is 2-for-11 with two walks and three strikeouts in four September games. Curt Casali will start behind the dish and hit sixth.

Stassi will be on the bench Wednesday against Oakland.

Stassi appears to be at the head of a three-man catching committee at the moment, starting five of the last nine games. Anthony Bemboom gets the nod behind the plate on this occasion.