MLB Player News

Bart went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and two runs scored in Thursday's loss to the Brewers while also drawing a walk.

Bart put the Pirates ahead with a three-run shot in the bottom of the first inning, giving the catcher his third home run in just seven games this season. He also drew a two-out walk in the fifth before coming around to score the tying run on a Jack Suwinski double, marking Bart's first game this season with two runs scored. The backstop has hit safely in six of his seven games and continues to make a strong case for more playing time with Henry Davis scuffling at the plate and Yasmani Grandal (foot) still on the 10-day injured list.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, three runs scored and a stolen base while also drawing a walk in Thursday's win over the Pirates.

Contreras launched a solo homer off Mitch Keller in the top of the first inning to give Milwaukee an early lead and came around to score the team's third run on a Rhys Hoskins single in the third. He then added a single in the fifth frame before going on to steal his second base of the season. The catcher scored three runs in the contest, a mark he's hit three times already this season, while also recording multiple hits for the second consecutive game. Contreras is batting .373 (31-for-83) in April with five homers, 20 RBI and 21 runs scored.

Adams is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

With Keibert Ruiz (illness) returning from the 10-day injured list Thursday and starting behind the plate in his first game back, Adams' time as the Nationals' No. 1 backstop appears to have ended. He had started 11 of the Nationals' 13 games while Ruiz was out, going 10-for-37 (.270 batting average) with five extra-base hits (one home run, four doubles), three runs and three RBI.

Barnes will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Barnes will pick up his sixth start of the season while top backstop Will Smith gets a breather as the Dodgers and Nationals close their series with a day game after a night game. Over 19 plate appearances to date, Barnes has batted .250 with no extra-base hits, one RBI and one run.

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Smith will get a breather for the day game after he pounded out four hits, scored twice and drove in a run in Wednesday night's 11-2 win. Austin Barnes will fill in for Smith behind the plate.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

The 36-year-old is on the bench for the seventh time in 10 games and appears to have moved into the No. 2 catcher role behind youngster Miguel Amaya, who draws another start Thursday. Gomes is a trusted game caller behind the plate but has taken a big step back with the bat in 2024, posting a .486 OPS while striking out at a career-worst 35.1 percent rate through 37 plate appearances.

The Nationals optioned Millas to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday.

Washington no longer had a need for Millas as a backup catcher after the team reinstated Keibert Ruiz (illness) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. During his week-and-a-half-long stint with the Nationals, Millas appeared in two games and went 1-for-6 with a stolen base.

The Nationals reinstated Ruiz (illness) from the 10-day injured list Thursday. He'll start at catcher and bat fifth in the Nationals' series finale versus the Dodgers.

Ruiz missed the Nationals' last 11 games while recovering from a case of influenza. He checked out fine after making two rehab appearances with Double-A Harrisburg earlier this week and should settle back in as the Nationals' No. 1 catcher now that he's been activated from the IL. Washington optioned catcher Drew Millas to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move.

Bart will start at catcher and bat cleanup Thursday against the Brewers.

Bart has been included in the lineup in four of the past six games and appears to have surpassed Henry Davis on the depth chart at catcher. The eventual return of Yasmani Grandal (foot) from the 10-day injured list could cost Bart some playing time, but for now, the 27-year-old should garner the lion's share of starts behind the dish while he's swinging a hot bat. Bart heads into Thursday's game with a 1.119 OPS over 23 plate appearances on the season.

Davis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Brewers.

He has now started just two of the previous six games and will give way to Joey Bart behind the dish Thursday. Davis is slashing just .180/.288/.230 with a 31.1 percent strikeout rate this season, and with Yasmani Grandal (foot) nearing a return, he could find himself back in the minors soon.