MLB Player News

Alvarez (ankle) returned to the lineup Sunday for Triple-A Syracuse, serving as the club's designated hitter while going 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Alvarez was back in action for the affiliate after missing nearly three weeks due to a loose body in his right ankle. The Mets' top catching prospect was fortunate to avoid surgery on the ankle and was able to play again before the minor-league season came to a close, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to resume duties behind the plate at any point during the next two weeks. Alvarez's recent absence due to the ankle issue might have been enough to halt any momentum he might have built for a promotion to the big leagues in 2022.

Wynns (head) isn't in the lineup Sunday against the Cubs, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Wynns was hit in the head by a pitch Friday against the Cubs and will be held out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Joey Bart will remain behind the plate and bat seventh.

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

D'Arnaud will get a breather after catching in each of the past three games, giving way to William Contreras behind the dish. Though Atlanta previously had room for both players in the lineup, Contreras has been sitting out on a more frequent basis with outfielder Ronald Acuna having been limited exclusively to designated-hitter duties since returning to the lineup Aug. 31 following a three-game absence due to a sore knee.

Bart went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Cubs.

Bart entered Saturday 2-for-15 across his last seven games, which included a stint on the injured list with a concussion. The catcher broke out of the slump in a big way, with his second-inning homer giving the Giants all they needed to earn the win. The 25-year-old is up to a .233/.313/.414 slash line with 11 long balls, 23 RBI, 27 runs scored, two stolen bases and six doubles through 79 contests. He's split time behind the dish since his return, but Bart should reclaim the No. 1 catcher job by the end of the campaign.

Contreras will sit for the third straight game Saturday against the Mariners.

Contreras' playing time has been cut through no fault of his own, as Ronald Acuna's nagging knee troubles mean he's been limited to the designated hitter spot that Contreras had previously occupied. Atlanta has elected not to split time evenly between Contreras and Travis d'Arnaud behind the plate while Acuna remains unable to take the field, instead using d'Arnaud as the clear primary option.

Nola was activated from the paternity list and is starting Saturday against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Nola landed on the paternity list Friday but will rejoin the Padres after spending just one day away from the team. He's starting behind the dish and batting eighth during Saturday's matchup.

Delay isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

Delay started the last two games and went 1-for-7 with a run and five strikeouts. Tyler Heineman will take his place behind the dish and bat ninth Saturday.

Realmuto isn't starting Saturday against the Nationals.

Realmuto started the last eight games and slashed .308/.419/.577 with two home runs, a double, seven RBI and five runs. Garrett Stubbs will take over behind the plate and bat seventh Saturday.

Wynns (head) isn't starting Saturday against the Cubs, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Wynns exited Friday's loss to the Cubs after he was hit in the head by a pitch, and he'll be out of the lineup a day later. It's not yet clear whether he'll require a trip to the injured list, but Joey Bart will start behind the plate and bat ninth Saturday.

Gomes isn't starting Saturday against the Giants.

Gomes went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, a walk and a strikeout during Friday's win over San Francisco, but he'll be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. P.J. Higgins is starting at catcher and batting sixth.