MLB Player News

Contreras is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Pirates.

It's a routine day of rest for Contreras, who finally broke out of an extended slump Friday. Andrew Knizner will catch and bat ninth.

Gomes went 3-for-4 with two home runs, two RBI, three runs scored and one stolen base in Friday's victory over the Dodgers.

Gomes is now slugging .533 on the season after this powerful performance. While the 35-year-old veteran has never been an exceptional home run hitter (his career high is 21), he could help the Cubs' offense be more dynamic if he stays hot. The catcher will need to prove that this wasn't a mirage, however, as he hasn't hit double-digit homers in a season since 2021, when he hit 14 between the Nationals and the Athletics.

Smith is sitting Friday against the Cubs due to an illness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

He was supposed to be in the lineup but came in feeling sick Friday. Austin Barnes is starting at catcher in his place, and Smith should be considered day-to-day.

Smith isn't starting Friday against the Cubs, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smith has caught fire to start the season, slashing .333/.417/.641 through his first 11 games. He will enjoy an off day Friday as Austin Barnes takes over behind the dish and bats ninth.

Nola isn't in the Padres' lineup Friday against Milwaukee.

Nola is currently in the middle of an 0-for-18 streak at the plate, so the Padres will start Luis Campusano in his place behind the dish Friday against Eric Lauer.

Alvarez is not in the starting lineup Friday at Oakland.

Alvarez has started just two of a possible six games since his promotion from Triple-A Syracuse last week. Tomas Nido is catching and batting ninth for the Mets on Friday night against the Athletics. Daniel Vogelbach is serving as the designated hitter and hitting sixth.

Heineman was optioned Friday to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Heineman gets the boot with fellow catcher Austin Hedges returning from the 7-day concussion injured list. Jason Delay remains up as the Pirates' other option at catcher.

Hedges was activated Friday from the 7-day concussion injured list.

Hedges is set to return to the Pirates on Friday in St. Louis after missing 10 days of action with a concussion. Tyler Heineman has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Jason Delay will stay up to share time behind the plate with Hedges.

Contreras went 0-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Pirates.

Contreras is 0-for-15 over his last five games, though he has managed four walks in that span. He was on the front of an unlikely double-steal with Nolan Gorman in the fourth inning of Thursday's game. Contreras has shown some solid speed for a catcher, though he's never stolen more than five bases in a season. He's off to a sluggish start in 2023 with a .171/.261/.195 slash line, two RBI, four runs scored, one double and no home runs through 12 contests.

Campusano is not in the lineup Thursday against the Brewers.

Campusano has out-hit Austin Nola in the early going and should be able to carve out more playing time if that continues, but Nola is starting at catcher and batting ninth for the Padres in this one. Campusano is expected to catch Friday and Sunday versus Milwaukee.