MLB Player News

Casual started again Friday night, his seventh start in the last 11 games, going 0-for-3 with two walks and an RBI. Before the game Reds manager David Bell confirmed that the catching position is closer to a timeshare between Casali and Tucker Barnhart, rather than Casali backing up Barnhart, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I've talked to both guys," Bell said. "The way I see it, I don't know how the split is going to turn out. It may still be Tucker ends up getting 60-40, 70-30 or maybe at times it is closer to 50-50."

After Friday's game Casali is now hitting .273/.347/.445, whereas Barnhart has struggled, hitting just .196/.297/.393 in 59 games. Barnhart has the contract, plus the defensive reputation, that will keep giving him chances, but he's no longer a default starter over Casali.

Gomes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 4-3 victory against the Braves on Friday.

This was Gomes' first homer since April 26. Since then, he only had five extra-base hits in 32 games prior to Friday. Gomes is batting .224 with a measly .628 OPS, three home runs, 20 RBI and 10 runs in 156 at-bats this season.

Vazquez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Friday's win over Toronto.

Vazquez slugged a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning, sending his team home happy. He didn't start Friday's contest, but he took over behind the dish in the late innings and ended up making a big impact. Vazquez is slashing .292/.330/.480 with nine homers and 27 RBI over 61 games this season.

Collins started at desginated hitter and went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Friday's 5-4 win over the Rangers.

Collins, who was making his first career start in MLB, erased an early 2-0 deficit with the homer on his first at-bat in the majors. It was his first official at-bat after he walked as a pinch hitter against the Cubs on Wednesday. Those first two plate appearances are fitting, as Collins has exhibited pop in his bat when not displaying an impeccable eye at the plate in the minors. The young catcher is up with the White Sox while Welington Castillo (oblique) is unavailable. Collins is expected to make his first start at catcher in one of the weekend games in Texas, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run Friday against the Astros.

Sanchez smacked a ball well over the Astros' bullpen in the bottom of the third inning, giving his team an early 2-0 lead. The 26-year-old backstop is now tied for American League lead in home runs with 23 over 56 games this season, as he continues to put on a display of power at the dish.

Wallach (concussion) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Wallach has been out since late May. He recently resumed baseball activities but will now be ineligible to return before late July. The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Wilkin Castillo, whose contract was selected after Jorge Alfaro landed on the injured list with a concussion of his own.

Castillo's contract was purchased by the Marlins on Friday.

The 35-year-old has just 37 big-league plate appearances to his name, none of which have come since 2009. He'll back up Bryan Holaday with both Jorge Alfaro and Chad Wallach recovering from concussions.

Stubbs was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs slashed .160/.192/.200 in 26 plate appearances since being called up in late May after Max Stassi (knee) landed on the injured list. Stubbs received six starts during his first major-league stint and makes his way back to the minors with Stassi returning to action.

Stassi (knee) was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stassi has been playing in minor-league rehab games over the past week, clearing the way for his return to the Astros after missing nearly a month with a sore left knee. The 28-year-old will resume his role as the No. 2 catcher behind Robinson Chirinos.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Grandal is in the middle of a small slump, grabbing just three hits in his last seven games. Manny Pina will start behind the plate Friday.