MLB Player News

Nido (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Nido was sidelined for the last week, but he is ready to get back on the field. Nido did not require a rehab assignment, but he will work behind James McCann for at least one night.

Barrera was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Barrera has served as the Nationals' backup catcher since early July, but he posted a paltry .441 OPS in 35 plate appearances over 14 games, so the team decided to send him back to Triple-A for the time being. It remains to be seen who will replace Barrera on Washington's roster, but Riley Adams is the most likely option.

Knizner will return to the bench for Monday's game against the Cubs, Bally Sports Midwest reports.

With Yadier Molina (personal) coming off the restricted list Monday and stepping back in as the Cardinals' No. 1 catcher, Knizner's brief run atop the depth chart comes to an end. Knizner was behind the plate for both of the Cardinals' final two games of the weekend series in Arizona and went 3-for-7 with a double, two walks and four runs.

Herrera was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Herrera was called up Saturday to provide depth behind the dish, but he didn't appear in either of the last two games. While he'll remain on the taxi squad, the 22-year-old will lose his spot on the active roster after Yadier Molina (personal) was reinstated from the restricted list.

Smith went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Marlins.

Smith hit an RBI single in the first, plated another run with a ground rule double in the fourth and added another RBI single in the eighth. He's logged at least one RBI in nine of his last 12 games, going 14-for-45 (.311) with 17 RBI and 10 runs scored in that span. The catcher's productive run has him up to .274/.360/.479 slash line with 18 home runs, 73 RBI, 53 runs scored, 21 doubles and a stolen base through 103 contests.

Serven went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Giants.

Serven's sixth home run of the season was a two-run shot to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning. The 27-year-old has started 10 of the last 11 games for the Rockies since primary catcher Elias Diaz went down with a wrist injury. Serven is hitting just .229 on the season, but he owned a .265 average at Coors Field entering the afternoon, so he could be a serviceable option at catcher during weeks the Rockies are at home.

Nola is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

With starts behind the plate in three of the past four contests and eight of the previous 11 games, Nola appears to have overtaken Jorge Alfaro as the Friars' No. 1 catcher. Alfaro will get the starting nod Sunday, but Nola has been the far better performer in August with a .730 OPS to Alfaro's .374 mark.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Ruiz will be getting a breather after going 3-for-13 with a double, two walks, two RBI, two runs and a stolen base while starting at catcher in each of the Nationals' past four games. Tres Barrera will check in for Ruiz behind the dish Sunday.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Fortes remains Miami's No. 2 catcher, but the Marlins have opened up a near-everyday role for him of late by giving him more work at designated hitter. He went 3-for-12 with a pair of solo home runs and walks while starting each of the past four games, but Fortes will take a seat Sunday with Jacob Stallings behind the plate and with Jesus Aguilar in the lineup at DH.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

He'll be getting some routine maintenance after going 4-for-11 with three home runs, two walks and six RBI while catching each of the past three contests. Yan Gomes will spell Contreras behind the dish.