MLB Player News

Alvarez is out of the lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader in Atlanta, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Perhaps Alvarez would have gotten the start had the Mets failed to capture the first game, but since they did win that contest it makes it an easy decision to rest him for this one. Luis Torrens will catch and bat eighth.

Lee went 1-for-5 with two RBI and a stolen base Sunday against the Tigers.

Lee has split time with Chuckie Robinson in September after struggling for the second half of the campaign. Since the All-Star break, he has maintained just a .242 wOBA and .558 OPS. Top prospect Edgar Quero could be ready to challenge Lee for playing time early next season.

Murphy is absent from the lineup in the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud have alternated starts at catcher since d'Arnaud returned from paternity leave in mid-September. It will be d'Arnaud doing the catching and batting seventh in the first game Monday, with Murphy likely to get the nod for the second contest.

Barnes went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Rockies.

Barnes went 2-for-6 with a walk over two games after he was activated from the injured list Friday. The catcher ends the regular season with a .264/.331/.307 slash line, one home run, three steals, 11 RBI and 12 runs scored over 156 plate appearances this year. He is likely to continue operating in a reserve role behind Will Smith in the postseason.

McCann went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Sunday against the Twins.

McCann's three-run shot provided the winning runs for the Orioles and gave him eight home runs on the year. Over his final 14 games spanning 49 at-bats, McCann contributed a .265 batting average with five homers and 15 RBI. He'll continue to play a key role off the bench for the Orioles as they begin their postseason push Tuesday at home against the Royals.

Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Athletics.

Raleigh set the major-league record for most homers by a catcher over his first four seasons when he went yard in the fifth inning. That blast was the margin of victory Sunday, and it also secured a 100-RBI campaign for the 27-year-old. Raleigh finished the year with a .220/.312/.436 slash line, 34 homers, 73 runs scored, six stolen bases and 16 doubles over 153 games, though he hit a much more impressive .286 (28-for-98) in September while homering in four of his last seven games.

O'Hoppe is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rangers.

Matt Thaiss will start behind the dish in O'Hoppe's place, batting sixth. O'Hoppe ended the season on a high note, batting .478 (11-for-23) with three doubles and a homer over his last six games.

Higashioka is absent from Sunday's lineup against Arizona.

Elias Diaz will be behind home plate and bat seventh in Sunday's regular-season finale. Unless he comes in to pinch hit, Higashioka will end the regular season having slashed .220/.263/.476 with 17 home runs and 45 RBI over 2673 plate appearances.

Smith is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rockies.

Smith only got one start in the weekend series in Coors Field as the Dodgers look to keep him fresh for the postseason. Austin Barnes is starting behind the dish, batting ninth.

Contreras is absent from Sunday's lineup against the Mets.

Contreras will rest for the regular-season finale, as Eric Haase starts behind home plate and bats fifth. Unless he pinch hits Sunday, Contreras will end his second regular season with the Brewers having slashed .281/.365/.466 with 23 home runs and 92 RBIs (both career highs) across 679 plate appearances.