MLB Player News

Bart was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees due to back tightness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bart's 2023 campaign isn't getting off to a great start. He sat in favor of Roberto Perez on Opening Day, and it will again be Perez behind the plate Saturday. The Giants also agreed to a minor-league deal with Gary Sanchez, adding more competition at catcher.

Murphy will sit Saturday against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy led all catchers in games played (148) and plate appearances (611) last season, but he may have a tough time repeating those accomplishments following his move to Atlanta, a team which also employs Travis d'Arnaud. It was Murphy behind the plate and d'Arnaud as the designated hitter in the season opener, but d'Arnaud will catch Saturday while Marcell Ozuna gets some at-bats as the DH. The exact playing-time split at both positions may take some time to figure out.

Stallings will sit Saturday against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Stallings started behind the plate in the season opener Thursday, going 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Since then, Nick Fortes has gotten the nod in consecutive games.

Barnhart is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Yan Gomes started on Opening Day, but he'll head to the bench in favor of Barnhart on Saturday. The two veterans are expected to split catching duties this season. Barnhart struggled offensively this spring, however, and could be slightly behind Gomes in the pecking order at the moment. Gomes will likely bump Barnhart back to the bench Sunday.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

After starting Thursday's season opener and going 0-for-4 with an RBI, Gomes will take a seat and give way to Tucker Barnhart. The two veterans are expected to split playing time all season, so it's not a surprise to see them rotate in the first two games. Gomes will likely return to the lineup Sunday.

Contreras (knee) will not start Saturday against the Blue Jays.

Contreras was hit in the knee by a Jordan Hicks fastball while catching the flamethrower on Opening Day. X-rays and an MRI didn't turn up anything worse than a bruise, but he'll nonetheless sit for at least one game. Andrew Knizner takes over behind the plate. Per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, Contreras is available to pinch hit and hopes to return to the lineup Sunday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Smith will not catch Saturday's contest against the Diamondbacks, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Roberts doesn't want Smith to catch three games in a row in the early part of the year. That means Austin Barnes will be behind the plate for the Dodgers on Saturday, and Roberts says they'll have more right-handed options in the lineup. Smith could end up being the DH, but it's also very possible he'll get a day off after playing in the first two contests.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a double, a run and four RBI in Thursday's 8-2 win against Arizona.

Smith's first at-bat of the campaign was about as professional as they come, as he took a Zac Gallen offspeed offering the other way for a double in the first inning. In the third, the backstop came up with runners on second and third and two outs, and he came through with a clutch single to right field to tie the score 2-2. Smith later gave Los Angeles its first lead with a two-run single in the fifth inning. The Opening Day performance served as a strong reminder of Smith's status as one of the top hitting catchers in the league. He should have plenty of opportunities to produce this season as the Dodgers No. 3 hitter behind Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

Contreras is considered day-to-day with a right knee contusion after undergoing multiple tests.

X-rays and an MRI both came back clean and Contreras went through additional testing Friday, none of which revealed anything beyond a bruise. The catcher is still sore after taking a 102.7 mph Jordan Hicks fastball off the shin guard, but he could be back in action sometime this weekend.

Barrera (knee) is on the active roster at Triple-A Memphis ahead of their season opener Friday.

Barrera was sidelined due to knee soreness over the final week of the Grapefruit League schedule, but he's ready now to suit up for Memphis and could be a candidate for a quick call-up to St. Louis if Willson Contreras (knee) requires an IL stint. Ivan Herrera, also stationed at Memphis, is another option for fill-in duties. Andrew Knizner opened the year as the No. 2 catcher for the Cardinals.