MLB Player News
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: On bench Sunday
Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Stephenson will be on the bench for the second time in three games, giving way to Jose Trevino behind the dish. Stephenson is slashing .224/.310/.409 with 12 home runs in 326 plate appearances this season.
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Pedro Pages C | STL
Cardinals' Pedro Pages: Sitting Sunday
Pages is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
After starting at catcher both of the previous two nights, Pages will give way to Jimmy Crooks behind the plate for Sunday's series finale. Pages has recorded a hit in six of his last seven games, going 9-for-27 (.333 average).
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James McCann C | ARI
Diamondbacks' James McCann: Plays role in comeback
McCann went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 4-3 win over Philadelphia.
McCann doubled in the game-tying run in the sixth inning before scoring the game-deciding run later in the frame. He's received an uptick in playing time behind the plate of late, which allows manager Torey Lovullo to use Gabriel Moreno as a designated hitter to get his bat into the lineup without wearing him down. McCann's hit safely in five of six starts since returning from back tightness Sept. 6, going 7-for-21 (.333) with two home runs and seven RBI in that span.
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William Contreras C | MIL
Brewers' William Contreras: X-rays clean
Contreras (hand/wrist) underwent X-rays following Saturday's game against the Cardinals, which came back clean, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Contreras was hit in the wrist and hand area by a swing in the seventh inning and was removed a frame later. He made clear to manager Pat Murphy that he wants to play Sunday, though the Brewers could opt to take a safe approach. Regardless, Contreras appears to have dodged a major injury.
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Homers in win
Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.
Stephenson gave the Reds some needed insurance with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. The 29-year-old has gone just 7-for-34 in September but has managed to go deep three times with 12 RBI during that stretch. For the season, he's slashing .224/.310/.409 with 12 home runs, 48 RBI and 38 runs scored across 326 plate appearances.
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William Contreras C | MIL
Brewers' William Contreras: Exits Saturday's game
Contreras exited Saturday's game against the Cardinals due to a hand injury,Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Contreras was hit on the hand by a swing in the seventh inning, and he was replaced by Danny Jansen as the Brewers took the field for the eighth frame. The severity of the issue is unclear, though the team is likely to play it safe given its current status in the standings.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Diagnosed with fracture
Imaging revealed a hairline fracture in Smith's right hand Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Manager Dave Roberts added that it's doubtful Smith will be able to play again during the regular season, and he's unsure whether the backstop will be ready for the postseason. If Smith is ultimately sidelined the rest of the way, the 30-year-old will finish the year with a .296/.404/.497 slash line alongside 17 homers, 61 RBI and 64 runs scored over 110 games. Ben Rortvedt has been receiving the bulk of playing time at catcher with Smith out and will likely continue to do so for the final week of the regular season.
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Carson Kelly C | CHC
Cubs' Carson Kelly: Resting up Saturday
Kelly isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Cincinnati.
Kelly will receive a day off Saturday after going 2-for-4 with a strikeout during Friday's loss. Reese McGuire will catch for starter Javier Assad instead and bat ninth.
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Exiting starting nine
Stephenson is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs.
Stephenson started Thursday's series opener and helped steer Hunter Greene to a shutout, but he'll get a breather in the second game of the series. Jose Trevino is at catcher and batting eighth for the Reds.