MLB Player News

Diaz (finger) is batting fifth and is the designated hitter for Friday's game against the Tigers.

Diaz missed three straight games with a right index finger injury, but he'll be back in action Friday. Considering his injury impacts his throwing and accuracy, Diaz could require a few more games at DH before working behind the dish. The 25-year-old had a six-game hit streak prior to being injured with four homers during that stretch.

Stubbs is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Baltimore.

Stubbs will give way to Rafael Marchan for the second time in four games, even with a right-handed pitcher taking the mound for the Orioles. It seems as though Stubbs and Marchan will be in a near 50-50 split behind the plate while J.T. Realmuto (knee) is sidelined unless one of them heats up.

Zavala started at catcher and went 0-for-1 with a walk in an extra-inning loss to the White Sox on Thursday.

Making his first appearance of any kind since June 1, Zavala was able to reach base for the first time since May 23 via his one walk. The 30-year-old backstop has seen Cal Raleigh, who eventually replaced him in Thursday's game, draw the overwhelming majority of starts behind the dish, and more recently, Mitch Garver has filled in at catcher on a handful of occasions as well. Zavala's playing time figures to remain sparse, barring injury to one of the two veterans in front of him.

O'Hoppe (groin) is starting at catcher and batting fifth Thursday versus Arizona, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

O'Hoppe had to sit out Wednesday's contest after getting hit in the groin by a foul tip Tuesday, but he is seemingly feeling well enough to catch Griffin Canning in Thursday's series finale. The 24-year-old backstop has been white-hot at the plate recently, going 10-for-23 with a homer, two RBI and five runs scored since the beginning of June.

Smith isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Thursday versus the Rangers.

Smith will get some scheduled rest after starting in five consecutive games. In that span, the catcher went 5-for-19 with a homer versus the Yankees and Rangers. With the 29-year-old on the bench Thursday, Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Raleigh isn't in the Mariners' lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Although Raleigh is currently enjoying a five-game hitting streak, the Mariners will sit him down for Thursday's series finale while Seby Zavala starts behind the plate and bats ninth.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Marlins.

Alvarez started at catcher in the first two games of the series after being activated from the 10-day injured list, but he will sit out the finale. Luis Torrens will do the catching for Luis Severino.

Wong is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Phillies.

The Red Sox will go with Reese McGuire behind the dish in the rubber game of the series. Wong had started each of the previous six contests, with five of those coming at catcher.

Contreras (forearm) is hoping to begin a rehab assignment around June 18, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Contreras is just five weeks into a projected 10-week timetable following surgery to repair a fractured left forearm, but Goold writes that the catcher is "eager to push the timetable for his return." He took batting practice in the cage Thursday and has been catching bullpen sessions without issue. If Contreras is indeed able to start a rehab assignment by Tuesday, he could be just a week or so away from activation.

Contreras (forearm) will take full batting practice in the indoor batting cage Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras is barely more than a month removed from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm. He was given a 10-week timetable to return following the operation but would appear to be ahead of schedule, given that he's already taking batting practice. Before being activated from the injured list, Contreras will surely need to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment, but it's uncertain when he might be cleared to join one of the Cardinals' affiliates for game action.