MLB Player News

Realmuto is not starting Monday against the Nationals.

With the Phillies now six games out of a wild-card spot with seven games left to play, they may not ask Realmuto to handle his typically heavy workload down the stretch. Andrew Knapp starts behind the plate for the second time in four games.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk in a win over the Rockies on Sunday.

Smith's solo shot in the eighth inning snapped a streak of 13 games without going deep. It was also his first extra-base hit in a brutal September in which the 24-year-old has gone 5-for-44 (.114) with 14 strikeouts. Despite the rough month, Smith remains one of the better hitting backstops in the National League, posting a .242/.318/.561 slash line with 14 homers and 37 RBI in only 50 games this season.

Mejia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Austin Hedges will step in behind the dish for the day game after Mejia started at catcher in Saturday's 4-2 loss. Mejia has gone 2-for-7 with a walk in two games since returning from the injured list Sept. 17.

Diaz (knee) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Diaz left Saturday's game with a right knee injury, and the setback will prevent him from starting Sunday. The extent of Diaz's injury is uncertain, so it remains to be seen if he will be back in the lineup for the Pirates' next game Tuesday against the Cubs.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras was held out Saturday to get some rest, and he will open on the bench for a second straight day Sunday with Victor Caratini catching Yu Darvish like he usually does. Contreras should be available to pinch hit and figures to be back behind the plate for the Cubs' next game Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Diaz exited Saturday's contest early with a right knee injury, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Diaz exited the game in the fourth inning due to the injury and Steve Baron took over behind the plate. The extent of the injury remains unknown for the time being, though if Diaz is forced to miss more time, Baron would serve as the backup catcher behind Jacob Stallings.

Diaz left Saturday's game with an apparent injury to his right leg.

He injured himself reaching for a pitch while catching. Diaz needed assistance walking off the field but was able to put pressure on his injured right leg. Steve Baron replaced him behind the plate.

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting sixth in Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

The Cubs are giving regular catcher Willson Contreras a breather after he started the last five games. Caratini enters the contest with a respectable .271/.352/.457 slash line in 221 at-bats this season.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras will take a seat after starting five straight games, with Victor Caratini starting at catcher and batting sixth in his place. With the Cubs battling for a playoff spot over their final eight games, expect them to ride Contreras fairly hard the rest of the way.

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

Mejia will take a seat following a scheduled off day Thursday. Luis Torrens is set to handle the catching duties and bat eighth.