MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Rockies.

After sitting the last two days, Smith came up big in the eighth inning with a solo shot for his first home run of the season. The Dodgers have quite the catcher tandem between Smith and Austin Barnes. Neither catcher will get everyday playing opportunities, but Smith has provided offense in both games he's started so far. He is 4-for-6 with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored to start his season.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-4 with a home run in Sunday's loss against the Phillies.

D'Arnaud accounted for Atlanta's lone run of the game when he launched a homer in the top of the seventh inning against Zach Eflin -- the only run the right-hander allowed over the course of seven innings. The veteran catcher should remain as the Braves' starting backstop this season, and while he might not repeat what he did in the 2020 shortened campaign when he posted a career-best .919 OPS, he should be a decent fantasy option considering the lack of value at his position across the league.

Nola (finger) has been going through workouts at Petco Park, but it is unclear when he will see game action at the club's alternate training site, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nola is eligible to come off the injured list April 8, but it appears unlikely that he will be ready to go at that time. The backstop fractured his left middle finger during a Cactus League game in mid-March and has since taken swings off a tee. Despite the lack of a clear timeline, Nola's injury isn't expected to keep him out of action for a lengthy period. Victor Caratini will continue to serve as San Diego's primary catcher until Nola returns.

Contreras is starting at catcher and batting second in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Contreras led off Saturday's game with Ian Happ out of the lineup, going 0-for-2 with two walks, but he'll bump back to second with Happ back in there Sunday. It's also the third straight start behind the plate for Contreras to start the season, so the Cubs do seem intent on riding their 28-year-old backstop, though he'll likely see an off day fairly soon.

Narvaez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Carrying over the momentum from a hot spring, Narvaez has gotten off to a nice little 3-for-8 start to the 2021 season. Narvaez was the only Brewer to record a hit in Saturday's game. He will get a day to rest his legs as Manny Pina takes over behind the plate Sunday.

Stallings is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

After catching the first two games, Stallings will give way to Michael Perez behind the plate with right-hander Mitch Keller on the mound for Pittsburgh. Stallings is 2-for-7 with a walk, a double and three strikeouts so far this season.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves.

Andrew Knapp will take over behind the plate to catch for starting pitcher Zach Eflin. Realmuto had limited spring at-bats due to a fractured right thumb, but he has shown little rust through two regular-season games, going 4-for-8 with two doubles.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Barnhart will be getting a routine day off after starting at catcher in each of the Reds' first two games of the season. Tyler Stephenson will check into the starting nine for the first time in 2021, batting eighth while catching for starting pitcher Jeff Hoffman.

Narvaez went 1-for-3 during Saturday's loss against the Twins.

Narvaez was the only Milwaukee player who mustered a hit in a game in which the Brewers were completely outmatched. Narvaez was seeing the ball well in spring training and he's started the regular season on a strong note as well, hitting safely in both contests and going 3-for-6 with an RBI thus far in his first two games.

Grullon was designated for assignment by the Reds on Saturday.

Grullon hit .283/.534/.496 in 108 games at the Triple-A level in the Phillies organization in 2019, but he hasn't established himself anywhere as even a backup catcher, receiving just 13 plate appearances at the highest level. The Reds apparently don't even like the 25-year-old as a depth option, as they removed him from the 40-man roster to clear space for waiver claim Beau Taylor, a 31-year-old with a career .492 OPS in limited big-league opportunities.