MLB Player News

Casali will start at catcher and bat sixth Thursday against the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

After starting at first base Wednesday and finishing 3-for-5 with an RBI in the Reds' 13-12 loss in 10 innings, Casali will move behind the plate for the series finale with regular backstop Tucker Barnhart receiving the day off. The absence of Joey Votto (lower leg) has allowed Casali and Barnhart to rotate duties at catcher and first base over the last several games, but with Votto returning from the DL on Thursday, the two will likely be limited almost exclusively to catching duties going forward. Expect Barnhart, a 2017 Gold Glove winner, to see the overwhelming share of starts at catcher in the season's final month, leaving few opportunities left over for Casali.

Barnhart is out of the lineup against the Brewers on Thursday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Barnhart will get a standard day off with a day game after a night game. The backstop, who had made 16 consecutive starts at either catcher or first base, turned in one of his better performances of the second half in Wednesday's 13-12 loss in 10 innings, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run, double, two walks and three runs. With the Reds activating Joey Votto from the disabled list Thursday, it's expected that Barnhart will see scant duties at first base going forward, which will result in Curt Casali losing out on time behind the plate.

Grandal went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, a walk and a strikeout in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.

Grandal provided an insurance run with his one-out homer in the eighth, giving the Dodgers a three-run lead in the eventual 3-1 win. The 29-year-old leads all National League catchers with 22 long balls, and now with 60 RBI he sits within striking distance of topping his previous career bests in both home runs (27) and RBI (72).

Caratini went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's loss to the Reds.

After entering the game in the seventh inning as a defensive replacement, Caratini blasted a two-run homer in the ninth inning, though the game was already lost. It was his first homer in 55 games this season.

The Braves outrighted Stewart to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Stewart lost his spot on the Braves' active and 40-man rosters after Kurt Suzuki overcame a short-term absence due to a triceps injury. Atlanta later brought in Rene Rivera on a waiver claim to serve as the organization's No. 3 catching option.

Realmuto went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox.

His eighth-inning blast off Matt Barnes gave the catcher 17 homers on the year, tying last year's career high. Realmuto appears to be wearing down at the end of a long season, slashing .188/.290/.325 through 22 games in August, but he's still provided some fantasy value with three homers, 11 RBI and two steals on the month.

Contreras is not starting Tuesday against the Mets.

Contreras has a heavier workload than most starting catchers, regularly starting four or more games in a row without a rest. He'll sit Tuesday after starting four straight, with Victor Caratini getting the start in his place.

Casali is picking up a rare start at first base Tuesday night, batting eighth against the Brewers, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Casali has had a fantastic season at the plate in limited exposure as the backup catcher, well above his career norms. He's coming off a big day Saturday that included a homer against right-hander Brandon Kintzler. He'll face the Brewers' Junior Guerra on Tuesday.

Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Padres, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Grandal started the past four games for Los Angeles, but he'll take a seat on the bench with lefty Robbie Erlin taking the hill for San Diego. Austin Barnes will assume catching duties for the afternoon.

The Braves designated Stewart for assignment Sunday, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Stewart's removal from the active and 40-man rosters clears a spot with the big club for corner infielder Rio Ruiz, who was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. The 35-year-old backstop had been serving as the Braves' backup catcher the last few days, but he fell to No. 3 on the depth chart after Kurt Suzuki (triceps) returned to the lineup Saturday against the Marlins.