MLB Player News

Stallings isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Stallings returned to the lineup Friday after he missed two games due to workload management, but he'll head back to the bench Saturday. Michael Perez will start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Stallings went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

He returned to the lineup after a two-game absence during which manager Derek Shelton said the team was managing his workload. Stallings is hitting just .226 but leads all National League catchers with 31 RBI and ranks second with 13 doubles. The backstop hit fourth or fifth in the batting order in each of his last 27 starts.

Casali went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-0 win over Oakland.

There was little offense in the battle between Bay Area teams, so Casali's seventh-inning solo homer loomed large. The long ball was just his second this season and Casali struggled to a .100 average through his first 70 at-bats, but he has stepped things up considerably of late, batting .500 (8-for-16) with both his homers and six RBI over his past six contests.

McCann is not in the starting lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

McCann went hitless in three plate appearances during the first half of the twin bill. Patrick Mazeika will catch David Peterson and bat eighth in the nightcap.

Realmuto isn't starting the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Realmuto started in Friday's matinee and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. He'll get a breather for the second game while Rafael Marchan starts behind the dish and bats eighth.

Barnhart is not in the lineup Friday against Atlanta.

Barnhart started the past two games and will take a seat after going 3-for-7 with a home run, three RBI, a walk and two runs. Tyler Stephenson will work behind the plate in his place Friday.

Stallings did not play Thursday in an effort to manage his playing time behind the plate, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Manager Derek Shelton said that there is nothing in particular wrong with Stallings, though fatigue may be a factor. "He's a little banged up, so I'm going to try and pick days to make sure he's OK," Shelton said. The 31-year-old sat out the last two games in favor of backup Michael Perez.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 4-0 victory over the Dodgers on Thursday.

Contreras provided some insurance with his sixth-inning home run to left off Walker Buehler, though Chicago wouldn't need it as the staff threw a combined no-hitter. It was his second straight game with a home run as Contreras has put together a nice three-game stretch, going 5-for-11 with two doubles and two long balls.

Contreras isn't starting Thursday's game against the Reds.

Contreras had started each of the last three games, and he went 0-for-9 with a walk and four strikeouts. Kevan Smith will start at catcher and bat seventh.

Smith is not in the lineup Thursday at Cincinnati, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smith started the past three games and will receive the day off after going 3-for-12 with a solo homer and an additional RBI. Austin Barnes will work behind the plate Thursday in his place.