MLB Player News

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta seems to have fallen into a pattern of alternating between Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud behind the plate, and Saturday will mark d'Arnaud's turn to start. Murphy has been a reliable option on days he gets to play, slashing .276/.475/.586 with three homers since the start of August.

O'Hoppe will be on the bench for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against Tampa Bay, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

O'Hoppe returned Friday from a shoulder injury which at one point seemed likely to keep him out for the entire season. The Angels are no doubt thrilled to have the young catcher back in action, but he was never going to be asked to start two games in one day even if he hadn't just returned from injury. Matt Thaiss starts behind the plate in the matinee, but O'Hoppe will likely return to the lineup for the nightcap.

Sanchez isn't in the Padres' lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Arizona, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After going 0-for-5 across his last two games, Sanchez will yield catching duties to Luis Campusano for the first game of Saturday's action. The 30-year-old backstop figures to return for the nightcap.

Ruiz isn't in the Nationals' lineup Saturday against the Phillies, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

After getting on base in all four of his plate appearances Friday, Ruiz will get a breather Saturday. Riley Adams will take over behind the dish and bat sixth in Ruiz's place.

Moreno isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres.

After going 3-for-7 with a homer during the first two games of the series, Moreno will get a breather for the first game of Saturday's activities. Moreno will likely return for the nightcap, but for now Jose Herrera will get the nod behind the plate and bat eighth.

The Cubs designated Barnhart for assignment Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Barnhart already wasn't receiving much playing time as the third catcher on the Cubs' depth chart, and now he'll lose his spot on Chicago's 40-man roster. The 32-year-old backstop has slashed .202/.285/.257 through 123 plate appearances this season. Miles Mastrobuoni was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

O'Hoppe went 0-for-5 in a loss to the Rays on Friday.

O'Hoppe made a quicker-than-expected return to the majors Friday following a stay on the 60-day injured list due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The 23-year-old showed some rust with the hitless performance, though that shouldn't prevent him from working as the Angels' primary catcher moving forward. The team designated Chad Wallach for assignment upon O'Hoppe's return, and backup backstop Matt Thaiss has struggled thus far in August, going 4-for-31 at the plate.

Higashioka finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games Saturday against the Red Sox.

Higashioka has started just two of the last six games, though that follows a stretch in which he started three straight. His .230/.267/.378 slash line isn't exactly starting catcher material, so he'll likely continue to split time with Ben Rortvedt down the stretch with Jose Trevino (wrist) done for the year.

Stallings went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 11-3 win over the Dodgers.

Stallings had one of the Marlins' three homers in a six-run third inning. Entering Friday, Stallings was 0-for-17 in August, though he's still maintained an edge over Nick Fortes for playing time. Stallings is now at a .186/.285/.263 slash line with two homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs scored and seven doubles through 195 plate appearances this year.

Contreras went 3-for-5 with one double, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's victory over the Rangers.

Contreras' third-inning double put the Brewers on the board. He entered the game mired in a 4-for-29 slump, while the Brewers entered the contest coming off a three-game sweep against the Dodgers in which they'd only scored three runs. However, Contreras and the rest of his teammates broke out of their funk with nine runs and 14 hits in the winning effort.