MLB Player News

Stephenson is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

It looks to be a routine day off for the Reds' starting catcher. Luke Maile will be behind the plate Friday while Stephenson gets some rest.

Herrera went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, an RBI single and additional run scored in Thursday's 8-5 win over the Marlins.

Herrera opened the scoring in the second inning with his homer, and his other hit sparked the Cardinals' five-run rally in the seventh inning. The catcher is filling in while Willson Contreras (hand) is unavailable. This was Herrera's second multi-hit effort in a row, and he's now 4-for-12 with four RBI and two runs scored over four contests this season. He's also yet to draw a walk while striking out five times, so there's still room for improvement with plate discipline.

Contreras did not suffer a fracture in his hand and is hoping to be available to play Saturday versus the Marlins, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Contreras was held out of the lineup Thursday after being hit in the hand with a pitch the day prior. It's unclear whether he'll be able to start behind the plate Saturday against Miami, but X-rays came back clean and it doesn't appear that he'll be in for a long-term absence.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

After going 2-for-5 with two RBI in a losing effort during Game 1, Alvarez will get a breather while Omar Narvaez starts behind the dish and bats seventh in the nightcap.

The Cardinals recalled Pages from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

With Willson Contreras (hand) unavailable for Thursday's home opener versus Miami, Pages will come up from the minors to give the Cardinals depth at catcher behind Ivan Herrera. Pages slashed .240/.367/.440 across 30 plate appearances during spring training and will be making his MLB debut once he gets into a game. Matt Carpenter (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Herrera will start at catcher and bat cleanup in Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Herrera will pick up his second straight start behind the plate in Thursday's home opener. Both Herrera and top backstop Willson Contreras -- who served as the Cardinals' designated hitter -- were included in the lineup in Wednesday's loss to the Padres, but Contreras was hit by a pitch in left hand during the contest and is dealing with swelling a day later. Contreras is scheduled to undergo X-rays later Thursday as the Cardinals look to assess whether he's dealing with anything more than inflammation and soreness. For now, Contreras is being viewed as day-to-day, but Herrera could be in line for an extended run as the Cardinals' primary catcher if Contreras' injury is significant enough to force him to the injured list.

Contreras (hand) won't be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said the team isn't yet at the point of needing to add another catcher to the 26-man active roster, but he didn't rule it out in the future. Contreras was hit in the left hand by a pitch in Wednesday's loss to San Diego, and the Cardinals are still waiting for swelling in the hand to go down before he can undergo X-rays. If Contreras has to miss time, Ivan Herrera would be in line to serve as St. Louis' primary catcher, and Pedro Pages would likely be recalled from Triple-A Memphis.

Adams will start at catcher and bat fifth in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Much of Adams' playing time comes versus left-handers, and he will face southpaw Martin Perez on Thursday while Keibert Ruiz rests. Adams put up a .960 OPS in 76 plate appearances against lefties in 2023.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

The Marlins continue to embrace a timeshare behind the plate, as Fortes and Christian Bethancourt have now made four starts apiece at catcher through Miami's first eight games. One of the two catchers may separate himself from the other from a performance standpoint and eventually emerge as the clear No. 1 option, but Fortes hasn't done much to distinguish himself thus far. Through his first four starts, Fortes has gone 1-for-12 with a double and also reached base when he was hit by a pitch.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

He will give way to Riley Adams behind the plate in the series finale. Ruiz will sometimes serve as the Nationals' designated hitter on days he doesn't catch, but it looks like he'll receive a full day off Thursday.