MLB Player News

Stallings is not starting Tuesday's game against the Royals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Although Stallings has hit a respectable .253 off righties this season, lefty hitter Michael Perez will get the start at catcher against the Royals' Brady Singer. Stallings has hit just .177 with 10 strikeouts in his last nine games.

Barnhart went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and three runs scored in Monday's 11-1 win over the Phillies.

The veteran catcher continues to put together a career-best year at the plate. Through 41 games, Barnhart has an .814 OPS and is hitting .282 with three homers, 17 RBI and 23 runs.

Nido is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

With James McCann logging more reps at first base of late, Nido has enjoyed a near-everyday role behind the plate. However, catching in eight of the last 11 games, Nido's run of steady playing time looks to be over after Pete Alonso (hand) was reinstated from the injured list. With Alonso taking over as the Mets' primary first baseman, McCann will begin logging more time behind the dish.

Bart (groin) returned to the lineup at Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Bart was sidelined for just over a week with a sore groin, but he appears to have made a full recovery from the issue. The 24-year-old is expected to spent most of the season at Sacramento, but he'll likely be the next man up for No. 1 catching duties at the big-league level should Buster Posey miss time at any point.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

The reserve backstop drew only his second start in the last 15 games and was one of the few bright spots for the Cardinals. Knizner has now reached safely in four of the eight plate appearances he's logged during his last two starts, but his opportunities are expected to continue to be sporadic as long as Yadier Molina is healthy.

Smith is out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith is 13-for-34 with two homers, a double, four RBI and nine runs over his past 10 games, and he'll receive the day off Sunday. Austin Barnes will work behind the plate in the series finale.

Stephenson went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Saturday's loss against the Cubs.

Stephenson provided all the offense the Reds were able to muster with a two-run double in the top of the sixth inning, scoring Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker. The backstop is hitting a decent .260 with a .713 OPS on the season.

Narvaez will remain on the bench for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Manny Pina remains the starter behind the plate after starting the afternoon contest as well. It's highly unusual for a catcher to start twice in one day, so it's possible Narvaez is dealing with an unreported injury. The Brewers have been fairly strict about platooning their backstops whenever possible, however, so the fact that it will be lefty Jon Lester on the mound for the evening game after fellow southpaw Patrick Corbin started the first contest is the most likely explanation for the decision.

Gomes isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Gomes will retreat to the bench for the third time in the last five games as he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Alex Avila will start at catcher and bat seventh.

Narvaez isn't starting Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Narvaez has gone 1-for-9 with a double, a run and two strikeouts across the last three games. Manny Pina will start behind the plate and bat sixth.