MLB Player News

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup Tuesday against the Brewers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is 0-for-11 with five strikeouts across his last five games, so he'll take a seat Tuesday in order to regroup. Omar Narvaez will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth against his former squad.

Stephenson isn't in the Reds' lineup Tuesday against Baltimore.

After going 5-for-15 with two runs scored across his last four games, Stephenson will get a breather Tuesday. Luke Maile will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk Sunday in an extra-innings loss to Houston.

Smith homered for the second straight contest, slugging a game-tying two-run shot to center field in the bottom of the eighth inning. The star catcher continues to be a steady and potent force in the heart of the Dodgers' lineup, slashing .306/.479/.583 with three long balls, eight RBI, six runs and a 10:11 BB:K over his past 11 games. Smith's 1.12 BB/K ranks second behind only Luis Arraez among qualified major-league hitters this season.

Murphy is not in the lineup Monday versus the Twins.

Murphy went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in his return Sunday from a hamstring tweak, but he'll grab a breather Monday as Atlanta opens a three-game series versus Minnesota. Travis d'Arnaud is catching and batting fifth.

Contreras went 4-for-4 with one double and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Cubs.

Contreras went 0-for-4 against the Cubs during Saturday's loss, but he bounced back Sunday and notched his first four-hit game of the season against his former team. It's been a struggle for the 31-year-old backstop during his first season with St. Louis, and even after his big offensive day in London, he's still slashing just .216/.304/.372 across 70 games (283 plate appearances).

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez started the past four games and will receive a breather after going 4-for-13 with a home run, four walks, three RBI and three runs. Austin Nola will step in behind the plate to catch for Seth Lugo.

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

Contreras has a .766 OPS through 17 games in June and will receive a breather Sunday after starting the previous four games. Victor Caratini will step in to catch for Corbin Burnes.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Alvarez started the first two games of the series in Philadelphia and will take a seat for the finale after going 0-for-6 with a walk and two strikeouts. Omar Narvaez will step in behind the plate to catch for Carlos Carrasco.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

The 34-year-old started the past five games with Sean Murphy (hamstring) banged up and went 6-for-10 with two homers the past two days, but Murphy will rejoin the lineup for Sunday's series finale in Cincinnati. D'Arnaud has an .839 OPS this year but will now revert back to a secondary role since Murphy is healthy.

Murphy (hamstring) is starting behind the plate and batting fifth Sunday against the Reds.

Murphy will return to the starting nine Sunday in Cincinnati after sitting out the past five games with a hamstring issue. The 28-year-old has a .286/.318/.452 slash line through 42 at-bats in June and a .915 OPS on the season.