MLB Player News

Barnes went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Giants.

Barnes got the Dodgers within two runs with his seventh-inning blast. The backup catcher is still seeing limited playing time, but he's posted five multi-hit efforts in 10 games since the start of August. Barnes is up to a .214/.327/.400 slash line with seven homers, 23 RBI, 26 runs scored and two stolen bases through 165 plate appearances this year. Unless something happens to Will Smith, Barnes is unlikely to see much extra playing time.

Caratini went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and a walk in Monday's 6-4 win over Colorado.

Caratini launched the go-ahead shot during Milwaukee's four-run sixth inning. He snapped a 24-game homerless drought with his first long ball since Aug. 4 and ninth on the year. The 29-year-old catcher is now slashing .207/.317/.365 with 17 extra-base hits and 29 RBI through 259 plate appearances.

Smith is not in Monday's lineup against the Giants, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Smith is hitting .248/.333/.468 with seven home runs, 21 runs, 33 RBI and one steal in 37 games in the second half. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and hit ninth.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.

The Brewers are opening their series in Colorado with a day game, so Narvaez will get a chance to rest after he caught eight innings in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks. Victor Caratini replaces Narvaez behind the plate Monday.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.

The Rockies face a quick turnaround for the series opener with the Brewers, as the Labor Day contest begins at 4:10 p.m. ET following a doubleheader Sunday. Since Diaz caught in the second contest of the twin bill, he'll be getting a breather for the afternoon game after a night game. Brian Serven will replace him behind the plate.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run and two walks in a 9-4 win against the Padres on Sunday.

Smith ignited a five-run fourth inning with a solo shot to center off San Diego starter Mike Clevinger and added walks in the fifth and seventh, scoring following the latter. He's batted 3-for-8 with two homers, a double and two walks across his last two contests after going hitless during his previous four. Smith is slashing .264/.353/.475 with 21 home runs, 58 runs and a career-high 80 RBI through 114 games.

Realmuto went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Giants.

Realmuto accounted for the Phillies' lone scoring play Sunday, a game-tying homer in the eighth inning. Over his last 16 games, the catcher has gone 21-for-59 (.356) with two long balls, 15 RBI, 11 runs scored, three steals, a triple and seven doubles. The well-rounded production continues to be a strong suit for the 31-year-old, who is slashing .272/.341/.461 with 15 homers, 70 RBI, 17 steals and 63 runs scored through 463 plate appearances this year.

Ruiz went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's victory over the Mets.

Ruiz's entered the game mired in a 10-game stretch where he hit .235 with two runs and one RBI. The young catcher broke out of that slump in a big way, accounting for four of the Nationals' seven runs on the day. Sunday's effort is also his first multi-hit game since Aug. 19, and he is now slashing .250/.310/.354 in 421 plate appearances this season.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Though Willson Contreras (ankle) isn't yet ready to rejoin the lineup, Gomes will take a seat for the day game after a night game after he was behind the plate for each of the previous three contests. No. 3 backstop P.J. Higgins will step in at catcher for the series finale.

Contreras (ankle) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras will be on the bench for a fourth consecutive game while he nurses a a sore left ankle. No. 3 backstop P.J. Higgins will get a turn behind the plate Sunday after Yan Gomes caught the Cubs' previous three contests.