MLB Player News

Gomes is not in the lineup Saturday against Atlanta.

Gomes and Kurt Suzuki have each started four games in the second half. Suzuki gets the nod behind the plate for Saturday's contest.

Smith (wrist) went 1-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Triple-A Oklahoma City's win over San Antonio on Friday.

The 24-year-old got crossed up behind the plate Wednesday and the pitch hit his right wrist, forcing Smith from the game. He was then held out Thursday, but Smith was back a day later and proved his health with his 19th long ball with Oklahoma City this season (22nd total). Smith is on the 40-man roster and could return to Los Angeles before Sept. 1 if there is an injury, or if the Dodgers decide to move on from Austin Barnes as the primary starter.

The Orioles optioned Wynns to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

With Pedro Severino apparently healthy again after battling an illness that left him unavailable for Friday's win over the Red Sox, there was no need for the Orioles to carry Wynns any longer as the backup catcher behind Chance Sisco. The Orioles recalled reliever Tanner Scott from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Murphy went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, a double and a run in a win over the Angels on Friday.

Murphy's solid offensive season continued in Friday's win, with his multi-hit effort pushing his average in July to .316. The veteran backstop has continued to display his penchant for timely hitting during the current month as well, as he now has four RBI over his last five games. For the season, Murphy boasts a .908 OPS over 56 plate appearances with men on base.

Diaz is not in the lineup Saturday against the Phillies.

Diaz has hit an unimpressive .255/.308/.327 on the season. He and Jacob Stallings, who will startl behind the plate Saturday, have alternated starts over the last six games.

Mejia is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

On the bench for the third time in four games, Mejia looks to have fallen into a timeshare at catcher with Austin Hedges after having appeared to seize control of primary duties in late June. A bat-first catcher, Mejia hasn't helped his case for sticking ahead of Hedges on the depth chart by supplying a lackluster .205/.244/.308 through 12 games this month.

Contreras (foot) is scheduled to take batting practice Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Contreras' ability to face live pitching is an encouraging sign for his recovery from a strained arch muscle in his right foot, but the real test of his health will come when he resumes baserunning and catching duties. Until that happens, the Cubs likely won't be able to pinpoint a definitive target date for Contreras' return. In the meantime, Chicago will get by with a timeshare of Victor Caratini and Martin Maldonado at catcher.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Sanchez played all nine innings in Friday's series-opening 8-2 win over the Rockies but had a rough day both at the plate and behind the dish. He finished 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored and was charged with catcher's interference in the fifth inning, bringing Sanchez's error total up to 12 for the season. Austin Romine will fill in for him Saturday, but expect Sanchez to resume catching duties in the series finale Sunday.

Barnes isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

Barnes will take a seat for the second time in the last three contests. Russell Martin is set to handle the catching duties and bat eighth with Barnes out of the lineup.

Barnhart (oblique) will take batting practice Saturday and could start a rehab assignment next week, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Barnhart landed on the injured list with a right oblique strain at the end of June but appears to be nearing a rehab assignment. The Reds are in dire need of help behind the plate with Curt Casali (knee) and Kyle Farmer (concussion) also on the shelf, though Barnhart is unlikely to rejoin the team before August.