MLB Player News

Herrera (back) said Saturday that he has been swinging a bat over the past several days and plans on catching a bullpen session soon, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Herrera added that he may progress to participating in batting practice within the next several days, and a rehab assignment could come shortly thereafter if his back responds properly. However, it's possible the Cardinals opt to keep him in the minor leagues once he's activated now that Willson Contreras and Pedro Pages are both on the active roster.

Barnhart isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Saturday's game versus Oakland.

The switch-hitting Barnhart owns just a .290 OPS against left-handed pitching this season, so he'll take a seat Saturday as the A's send southpaw Hogan Harris to the mound. Jose Herrera will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Murphy has gone just 3-for-17 with three strikeouts and four walks over his last six games, and he'll get a day to regroup Saturday as Atlanta faces Paul Skenes and the Pirates. Travis d'Arnaud will start behind the plate instead and bat sixth.

Amaya isn't in the Cubs' lineup Saturday against the Brewers.

Amaya struck out in both of his at-bats during a loss in Friday's series opener, and he'll give way to Tomas Nido for Saturday's contest.

Higashioka isn't in the Padres' lineup for Saturday's game against Boston.

The Padres will give Higashioka a day off Saturday after he belted a two-run homer during Friday's win. In his place, Brett Sullivan will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Maile isn't in the Reds' lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

After going 0-for-6 to begin the series, Maile will get a breather against Sonny Gray and the Cardinals on Saturday. Austin Wynns will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Maile started at catcher and went 0-for-3 in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Cardinals.

Primary catcher Tyler Stephenson was added to the paternity list Friday, which means Maile could handle the catching duties over the weekend. Maile is batting .188/.288/.281 over 37 games.

Diaz (calf) ran on the field Friday and Saturday and has made good progress in his recovery, MLB.com reports.

Manager Bud Black seemed to offer a more positive outlook on Diaz's recovery than in recent days, though Black still declined to offer a timetable for Diaz's return. Positively, the manager suggested that Diaz will not need a rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox.

All nine of the Padres' runs came in an incredible fifth inning that saw them bat around before recording an out, and Higashioka got the offensive eruption started by crushing a Nick Pivetta sweeper over the Green Monster. The veteran backstop is having the best month of his career in June, batting .292 (14-for-48) over 16 games with an eye-popping eight homers and 19 RBI -- his career high in homers for a season is only 10. Luis Campusano (thumb) is expected back off the IL in early July, but he will have a hard time wresting significant playing time back from Higashioka given the latter's current form.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Moreno (thumb) will catch five innings in a rehab game in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Moreno was placed on the injured list June 22 due to a sprained left thumb, but Lovullo said earlier in the week that he expects the catcher to return after the minimum 10 days. Barring any setbacks this weekend, Moreno will be eligible to return Tuesday for the beginning of the Diamondbacks' road series against the Dodgers.