MLB Player News

Contreras is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras will receive Friday off after starting five of the last six games and going 4-for-17 with one double and one home run in that stretch. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate and bat sixth versus Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas.

Perez went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI during Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Twins.

Perez got his team on the board with a solo home run in the fifth inning, giving three home runs over his last three games. He drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh, giving him eight over his last 10 games. Moreover, Perez's 10 homers are already a career high, and his .799 OPS would easily be a personal best as well.

D'Arnaud went 2-for-3 with two home runs, a walk, four RBI and two runs scored Thursday against the Tigers.

D'Arnaud got the start with the Rays playing a day game after a night contest, relieving Mike Zunino behind the dish. He took advantage by smacking two homers, his first of the season. He'll continue to serve as the Rays' backup catcher, but his .171/.253/.286 is not noteworthy.

Vazquez went 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBI on Thursday against the Royals.

Vazquez collected only one hit in the contest, but his two-RBI triple turned out to be the deciding runs in Boston's win. Though he's slowed a bit at the dish since his prolific start to May, Vazquez remains the primary catcher for the Red Sox, and his .195 ISO is nearly 100 points better this .103 career mark. Overall, he's hitting .289/.329/.484 across 170 plate appearances.

Smith has been optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Smith was impressive in his first action at the big-league level, going 6-for-21 with a pair of homers and a double, but with Austin Barnes (groin) activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, the Dodgers have sent Smith back to Oklahoma City. The young backstop showcased some of the potential at the dish that has made him such an enticing prospect, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him called back up at some point this season.

Barnes (groin) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

As expected, Barnes is back with the Dodgers after completing a two-game rehab stint with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, going 2-for-5 with a walk in those contests. The 29-year-old figures to immediately step back in as the team's primary backstop after a minimum stay on the shelf. Will Smith was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Jansen is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Jansen will head to the bench for Thursday's series finale after starting the past two games behind the dish, going 1-for-6 with a walk in those contests. In his place, Luke Maile is starting at catcher and hitting ninth.

Perez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 9-7 win over the Twins.

Perez's seventh-inning blast capped the Tribe's comeback from a four-run deficit and helped the team climb back over .500 for the season. The long ball was Perez's second in as many days and brings his total up to nine for the season, marking a new career high in the category.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

With the Brewers and Marlins facing a quick turnaround for their series finale, Grandal will receive a routine maintenance day, allowing Manny Pina to pick up a turn behind the dish. Grandal was one of the Brewers' top performers in Wednesday's 8-3 loss, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Joel Goldberg of FOX Sports Kansas City reports.

Maldonado will rest for the afternoon contest after starting behind the plate in both of the previous two contests. Cam Gallagher will handle catching duties in the series finale.