MLB Player News

Gomes is not in Saturday's lineup against the Braves.

He is the Nationals' primary catcher while Kurt Suzuki is out with an elbow injury. Gomes is hitting .161 with four home runs in nine games this month. Raudy Read will start behind the dish and hit eighth.

Murphy went 3-for-4 with a walk, three doubles and four runs scored in Friday's 14-9 win over the Rangers.

While seven homers were hit on the night in Globe Life Park between the two teams, Murphy was content with his first big-league two-baggers instead. The rookie is now slashing an eye-popping .409/.458/1.091 through 24 plate appearances since his promotion, with seven of his nine hits (three doubles, four homers) going for extra bases.

Narvaez went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 9-7 loss to the White Sox.

All three hits were singles, including one of the run-scoring variety to cap a three-run first inning for the Mariners. Narvaez later scored on Shed Long's two-run single in the fourth. The catcher has enjoyed hitting against his former team, going 7-for-14 with two RBI and three runs scored in three games versus the White Sox this year. For the season, Narvaez is hitting .280/.354/.462 with 20 homers, 52 RBI and 60 runs scored.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs, a third run scored and a walk during a 17-8 victory over the Pirates on Friday.

The Cubs catcher went deep twice against Pirates starter Steven Brault in the first three frames. The first long ball gave Contreras a new career high in the homer category, and he set a new high-water mark in runs too. Contreras is batting .283 with 23 home runs, 62 RBI, 52 runs and one steal in 318 at-bats this season.

Thaiss isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Rays, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Thaiss will retreat to the bench, opening the door for Albert Pujols to draw the start at first base and bat cleanup.

Sanchez was diagnosed with a groin strain Friday, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Sanchez battled another groin strain in late July and early August, missing slightly more than two weeks. His current injury is considered quite similar, putting his expected return date right around the final few days of the regular season. Austin Romine appears to be in line to handle the bulk of the catching duties down the stretch.

McCann will hit the bench Friday against Seattle.

McCann has gone 6-for-17 with three doubles over his last five games. He'll get a rest Friday, with Zack Collins starting behind the plate.

Sanchez (groin) is not in the lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.

Sanchez's absence is no surprise, as he's reportedly traveling to New York for testing on his sore groin. It remains unclear how much time he's expected to miss. Austin Romine starts Friday.

Murphy, who is hitting .333 across his first 19 major-league plate appearances, will nevertheless have his workload monitored closely by manager Bob Melvin, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Murphy endured two separate stints on the injured list due to knee issues with Triple-A Las Vegas this past minor-league season, so the Athletics naturally want to be careful with their prized prospect, especially considering he plays a position as physically demanding as catcher. The solid season turned in by veteran Josh Phegley affords Melvin plenty of flexibility behind the plate, and the recent return of Beau Taylor on a waiver claim provides Oakland's skipper with another option.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Stallings went 2-for-4 with a solo homer Thursday and will receive a breather Friday afternoon. Elias Diaz will start behind the plate and bat eighth in the series opener.