MLB Player News

Smith will not start Monday's game against the Diamondbacks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

With Clayton Kershaw returning from a forearm injury Monday, expect Smith's off days to follow a consistent pattern going forward. Kershaw has thrown to personal catcher Austin Barnes in 16 of his 18 starts so far this season and will do so again this time around.

Nido (thumb) rejoined his teammates Monday but won't be activated until Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nido is nearly ready to return from the thumb sprained which has sidelined him for all of September, but he evidently needs one more day before he's ready to go. He'll serve as James McCann's backup behind the plate down the stretch.

Ruiz (head) is starting Monday's game against the Marlins, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz missed Sunday's game against the Pirates after he was hit in the helmet by a pitch Saturday, but he avoided a concussion. The 23-year-old is participating in pregame drills and will be back in action following his brief absence.

Realmuto went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-4 loss to Colorado.

The 30-year-old was the only Philadelphia batter to record multiple hits in the contest. The strong game snapped a 1-for-15 slump at the plate for the catcher. Realmuto has provided solid all-around production this year with a .262/.349/.434 slash line, 14 home runs, 60 RBI, 57 runs scored, 10 stolen bases and 23 doubles through 470 plate appearances.

Marchan was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Marchan had been serving as the backup catcher since Andrew Knapp tested positive for COVID-19 in late August. Knapp is now ready to go, so Marchan will return to the minors.

Maile was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Maile was optioned Friday but returns just two days later. He's unlikely to see too much playing time this time around, as he'll be merely the third-string catcher, with Rowdy Tellez (kneecap) hitting the injured list in a corresponding move.

Barnhart will sit Sunday against St. Louis.

Barnhart has made only four starts against southpaws all year, so he'll hit the bench as expected against lefty J.A. Happ. Tyler Stephenson takes over behind the plate.

Ruiz (head) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Ruiz was struck in the helmet by a pitch Saturday and was forced to exit. X-rays taken after the game were negative, and he cleared concussion tests Sunday, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com, but he'll sit for at least one contest. Alex Avila will take over behind the plate.

Narvaez will be on the bench Sunday against Cleveland.

Narvaez sits after starting six straight games behind the plate. Manny Pina will catch Eric Lauer in his absence.

McCann went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, three RBI, an additional run scored and a walk in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Yankees.

McCann slammed a two-run homer off Chad Green in the sixth inning to give the Mets the lead. In addition, he tripled in the second inning, driving in Kevin Pillar. It was just the second game this season in which he had multiple extra-base hits. The catcher is slashing .240/.303/.368 with 10 long balls, 40 RBI and 24 runs scored in 260 plate appearances.