MLB Player News

Smith is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He is hitting .261 with two home runs in 23 at-bats. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Narvaez went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Cubs.

Narvaez ended his three-game hitting streak Tuesday, but he found a way to produce in this one and he's now hit safely in eight of his first 10 contests. The backstop is hitting .414 with a 1.091 OPS through his first 33 plate appearances in 2021.

Stallings isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Stallings had recorded hits in each of his last five starts and went 8-for-16 with three doubles, five RBI, four runs and five walks during that time. Michael Perez will take over behind the dish Wednesday, batting eighth.

Barnhart isn't starting Wednesday against the Giants.

Barnhart went 0-for-5 with a run, one walk and three strikeouts in the first two games of the series against the Giants. Tyler Stephenson will start behind the plate for Wednesday's series finale, batting eighth.

Knizner, making his first start of the season in Tuesday's win over the Nationals, went 1-for-3 with two walks and a run.

Coming into the season, Yadier Molina was projected to cede starting duties behind the dish more often than in the past, but until Tuesday, the ageless veteran's hot bat had kept him in the lineup for each of the Cardinals' first 10 games. Knizner made good use of his opportunity, however, following a 1-for-4 start to the season as a pinch hitter/defensive replacement in three other contests.

Contreras isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Contreras blasted a key home run in Tuesday's win over Milwaukee, but he'll get a breather for Wednesday's series finale. Austin Romine will start behind the dish, batting eighth.

Stallings went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, three RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Padres.

Stallings got the Pirates on the board in the first with a two-run double off the wall in left field and came around to score after Erik Gonzalez launched a double of his own the very next at-bat. The 31-year-old tallied his third RBI of the game the following inning on a single to right, stretching the Pirates' lead to 5-3. Stallings had a rocky start to the year, as he managed just two hits in his first 14 at-bats, but he's come to life recently with eight hits, five RBI and four runs scored in his last five games.

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Brewers.

The Cubs were stymied by Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff, scoring just one run across six innings, but Contreras hit a two-run shot off of Brent Suter in the eighth that ultimately gave Chicago a 3-2 win. It was the second home run of the season for the veteran catcher, who has recorded a hit in five straight games, lifting his season average to .226. That number should continue to climb, and Contreras can be counted on for solid production at his position if he stays healthy.

McCann is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

McCann started behind the plate and went 1-for-4 during the matinee, so it's not a surprise he's taking a seat for the nightcap. Tomas Nido will catch for Marcus Stroman in Game 2.

Narvaez is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Narvaez is off to a hot start following a very disappointing 2020 campaign, as he's posted a 1.197 OPS through 29 plate appearances. He's been the clear No. 1 option behind the plate thus far this season, starting seven of the first 11 games. Manny Pina will make his fourth start of the year Tuesday.