MLB Player News

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Cincinnati.

Contreras started the first two games of the series against the Reds and will receive a day off after going 3-for-8 with two homers and six RBI. Andrew Knizner will step in behind the plate to catch for Miles Mikolas.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson and Luke Maile have alternated starts behind the ploate over the past five games, and that trend will continue Sunday after Stephenson went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run in Saturday's contest.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Smith will receive a breather Sunday in Washington after he posted a .619 OPS while starting the previous nine games. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Philadelphia, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Stallings started the first two games against the Phillies but will take a seat for Sunday's series finale. Nick Fortes will step in behind the plate and bat ninth.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Murphy will sit for the third time in Atlanta's past four games as the club appears to be taking advantage of its 14-game lead in the NL East in order to give its top backstop some extra rest late in the season. Travis d'Arnaud will receive another chance behind the plate while batting seventh.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 4-3 win over Cincinnati.

Contreras came up with a couple big hits early for the Cardinals, plating a run with a first-inning single and adding a two-run homer in the third. It was the third straight contest with a long ball for the veteran catcher, and he's knocked in exactly three runs in each of those contests. With 19 homers on the year, Contreras needs one more the rest of the way to record his fourth straight full season (excluding the shortened 2020 campaign) with at least 20 long balls.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup Saturday against the Twins.

Alvarez will take a seat Saturday after going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's series opener. Omar Narvaez will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Diaz went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Giants.

Diaz went 12 games between homers, hitting a modest .244 with three doubles and five RBI in that span. The catcher's blast put the Rockies ahead in the seventh inning, but their offense stalled out while the Giants rallied over the next two frames. Diaz is slashing .267/.313/.419 with 14 long balls, 67 RBI, 42 runs scored and a stolen base over 124 contests this season.

Sabol went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's 9-8 win over the Rockies.

Playing time has been fairly sparse for Sabol lately, but he's gone 7-for-23 (.304) across his last eight contests. His homer Friday was his 12th of the season, but his first since July 19. The rookie catcher/outfielder is at a .245/.304/.404 slash line with 40 RBI, 34 runs scored, two stolen bases and nine doubles through 97 contests. Sabol and Joey Bart will likely split time behind the plate while Patrick Bailey (concussion) is out -- Bart has drawn the start at catcher in two of the three games Bailey's missed so far.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Reds.

Contreras opened the scoring in the first inning with a mammoth 113.6-mph, 440-foot blast off Andrew Abbott. It was his ninth career home run at Great American Ball Park, his favorite park to hit homers in behind Wrigley Field (66) and Busch Stadium (12). Contreras may finally be settling into his new home in St. Louis as he has hit .268 with seven home runs, 13 runs and 18 RBI over 93 at-bats since Aug. 1.