MLB Player News

Caratini is catching and batting eighth in Friday's game against the Reds.

The Cubs will deploy Willson Contreras as the DH Friday, which opens up catching duties for Caratini. The 27-year-old has played regularly so far this season, posting a .270/.361/.349 slash line in 23 games to date. He's still looking for his first home run after popping 11 in 95 games last year.

Contreras is the designated hitter and batting fifth in Friday's game against the Cubs.

Contreras will get a night off behind the plate, with Victor Caratini handling catching duties. After a strong summer camp, Contreras has yet to really get going for the Cubs, as he's slashing just .207/.321/.370 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 29 games so far.

Gomes is not in the lineup Friday at Boston.

Gomes and Kurt Suzuki have alternated starts over the past week, and that trend continues Friday after Gomes went 2-for-4 with a strikeout during Wednesday's contest.

Narvaez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a 6-1 loss to the Reds during the first game of Thursday's doubleheader.

His sixth-inning shot off Nate Jones ruined a combined shutout bid by the Cincy staff. Narvaez only has two homers on the season to go along with a tepid .175 batting average, but they've both come in the last three games, and he's gone 5-for-14 over his last four with two doubles in addition to the two blasts.

Stallings is not starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Stallings will retreat to the bench for Game 2 of Thursday's twin bill after catching all nine innings in Game 1 while going 2-for-4 with an RBI. John Ryan Murphy is starting at catcher in this one.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Luis Torrens gets the start behind the dish in this one. Through 17 games this month, Hedges is slashing .235/.333/.529 with three home runs and a stolen base.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Brewers, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

With Barnhart getting a breather for the front end of the twin bill, Curt Casali will step in behind the dish to catch for starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Look for Barnhart to return to the lineup for Game 2 to catch lefty Wade Miley.

Jackson was optioned to the alternate training site after Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Jackson joined the club as the 29th man for Wednesday's twin bill, but he didn't appear in either game. The 24-year-old is unlikely to see worthwhile opportunities with the Braves while Travis d'Arnaud and Tyler Flowers remain healthy.

Smith is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Smith was activated off the injured list Sunday and started the past two games, going 1-for-6 with a home run, three runs and three walks. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate Wednesday for the Dodgers.

Caratini is not starting Wednesday against the Tigers.

Caratini will head to the bench following a string of four consecutive starts. He's hitting .270 with nine RBI through 23 games this season. In his absence, Kyle Schwarber is starting at DH while Albert Almora gets the nod in center field.