MLB Player News

Stallings will sit Saturday against the Reds.

Stallings sits after starting five of the last seven games behind the plate. Steve Baron will catch James Marvel on Saturday.

Smith is not in the lineup Saturday against the Giants, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

After posting a .222 OPS in his first 11 games in September, Smith has a 1.012 mark over his last five contests. Russell Martin starts behind the plate in his absence.

Mejia isn't in the starting lineup Friday against the Diamondbacks.

Mejia is in line for another day off, giving Luis Torrens a chance to start behind the dish. Torrens will bat seventh in Friday's series opener.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Indians.

The 32-year-old started 11 of the last 12 games but heads to the bench as Kurt Suzuki (elbow) makes his return to the starting nine after a three-week absence. Gomes has hit an .876 OPS during September, but his run of extensive playing time is likely over with Suzuki ready to go.

Barnhart will sit Friday in Pittsburgh.

Barnhart hits the bench for the second straight game. Curt Casali remains the starter behind the plate.

Contreras is not starting Thursday against the Pirates.

The Cubs are resting most of their starters for Thursday's series finale with no shot left at making the playoffs. Jonathan Lucroy is starting behind the dish in this one.

Mejia is not in the lineup Thursday against the Dodgers.

Mejia has appeared in five games (three starts) since returning from an oblique injury, going 5-for-14 (.357) with two doubles and two RBI. Austin Hedges is starting behind the dish and hitting eighth in this one.

Barnhart is not in Thursday's lineup against the Brewers.

He is 7-for-16 (.438) with one home run over his last five games. Curt Casali will start behind the dish while hitting eighth.

Smith is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Padres.

Smith has started six of the past seven games, going 2-for-20 with a home run and three RBI over that stretch. Russell Martin is starting at backstop and hitting eighth in this one.

Diaz (knee) has been shut down for the remainder of the season, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Diaz has been sidelined since Saturday with a right knee injury and simply won't have enough time to return, leaving Jacob Stallings and Steve Baron to finish out the season as Pittsburgh's primary catchers. Across 101 games with the Pirates this season, Diaz compiled a .241/.296/.307 slash line with two home runs and 28 RBI.