MLB Player News

Gonzalez was designated for assignment by the Astros on Saturday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gonzalez is currently playing at Double-A Corpus Christi, and the move will take him off of the 40-man roster, clearing a spot for a first base prospect A.J. Reed, who will be promoted this weekend. The 23-year-old is hitting just .158 through 44 games, registering 40 strikeouts in 146 at-bats.

Gomes (back) will return to the lineup Saturday against the Tigers.

As expected, Gomes will step back in behind the plate after having a cyst drained on his back and missing Friday's game. Gomes has seven homers on the year but just one since May 17, and his .184 average is the worst among primary catchers in the American League.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, three RBI and a run in Friday's 5-4 victory over the Marlins.

The rookie continued the outstanding start to his major league career, extending his hitting streak to six games while tallying his first multi-hit effort at the big league level. Contreras now has three homers over the last six contests as well, and although his current .412/.474/.941 line is unsustainable, he's certainly provided a tremendous boost to the Cubs offense.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Saturday's contest with San Diego, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Barnhart has been the everyday catcher for the Reds this season, but after starting five of the last six games, he'll get a breather Saturday. In his place, 26-year-old Ramon Cabrera will assume duties behind the plate. Barnhart, who is hitting just .133 over his last nine games, will likely be back out there Sunday for the final game of the series.

Sanchez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Sanchez -- designated for assignment on June 14 -- went unclaimed by another club during his waiver period and will remain with Triple-A El Paso. The 26-year-old slashed .143/.200/.393 with the White Sox Triple-A affiliate before being picked up off waivers by the Padres in May.

Gomes was left out of the lineup Friday after having a cyst drained on his back, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports. He is expected to return to the lineup Saturday.

Friday marks Gomes' second straight day out of the lineup, but no injury had been reported until Friday afternoon. That said, Gomes isn't expected to miss much additional time as he'll be available to pinch hit Friday and he should be able to return to the lineup for Saturday's tilt.

Gomes remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against Detroit.

Gomes is getting another game off as Chris Gimenez makes his second consecutive start behind the dish. Gomes is showing signs that he's breaking out of his slump with hits in each of his last four games and multi-hit performances his last two. Gomes will likely be back out there Saturday as he has yet to miss three consecutive games this season.

Stallings was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Stallings was brought up by the Pirates on Sunday and went 1-for-8 at the plate with a double during his time with the club. Prior to being called up, he had been hitting .199/.242/.340 with four home runs and 21 RBI for Indianapolis this year.

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

Barnhart has started the past four games, and will get a day off Thursday as Ramon Cabrera will man the catching duties. He had a rough road trip, going 3-for-27 at the plate, but the 25-year-old has provided a consistent presence behind the plate for the Reds this season.

Contreras will make his first major league start at first base, batting fourth, against Miami on Thursday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Contreras has generated plenty of excitement since his call up on June 17, smashing two homers and driving in five runs in only nine at-bats. He'll bring a four game hit streak into Thursday's game as he faces off against Miami hurler, Wei-Yin Chen.