MLB Player News

Stallings is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Stallings started the first two games of the series and went 2-for-6 with two runs scored and walk, so he'll take a seat for the finale. Elias Diaz will start behind the plate in his place.

Barnes will be optioned once Russell Martin (personal) returns to the team but will be recalled once rosters expand in September, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Barnes was recalled Saturday to serve as the team's backup catcher in the absence of Russell Martin. However, Martin is set to return to the team Tuesday, at which point Barnes will be sent back down to Triple-A Oklahoma City. The shuffle will continue, however, once rosters expand Sept. 1, and Barnes will be recalled to serve as the third catcher for the team for the remainder of the campaign.

Nido has been placed on the seven-day injured list after entering concussion protocol, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Nido was hit in the head on the backswing of Josh Donaldson and was forced to exit Friday's contest. He's apparently experienced concussion symptoms since, and he'll head to the injured list. Rene Rivera is expected to join the big-league club in Nido's absence.

Jackson was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Jackson was optioned after the Braves signed Francisco Cervelli. He was just called up Wednesday, but he drew only one start in the three-game span. Jackson has yet to record a hit in 13 major-league at-bats.

Barnes was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Barnes was recalled to serve as the backup catcher while Russell Martin is on the bereavement list. His time with the big-league club figures to be short, as Martin can miss a maximum of seven games. In his stint with the Dodgers earlier this season, Barnes managed only a .196/.288/.328 line across 233 plate appearances.

Contreras (hamstring) did throwing drills prior to Saturday's game, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Contreras was seen throwing from behind the plate to the edge of the outfield grass. While his return is likely still a couple weeks away, Contreras continues to slowly make progress towards his eventual return.

Casali (hamstring) was activated from the injured list Saturday.

Casali had been on the injured list since July 18, originally due to a knee injury. However, he suffered a hamstring strain in his rehab assignment and had been working back from that most recently. Casali should return to his backup role behind Tucker Barnhart.

Knizer is 6-for-8 with a double, three home runs, four RBI, a walk and five runs for Triple-A Memphis over his last two games.

That tally includes a 4-for-4, two-homer night Friday versus Omaha. The 24-year-old backstop slashed an unsightly .190/.261/.310 with the Cardinals during a 13-game cup of coffee earlier in the season, but he's hitting a solid .290 (9-for-31) since returning to the Redbirds on Aug. 12.

Nido left Friday's game against the Braves after getting hit in the head by a Josh Donaldson back swing, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Nido was able to remain in the contest after being examined by team trainers, though he was ultimately lifted and is likely being evaluated for a concussion. Wilson Ramos replaced Nido behind the dish.

Contreras (hamstring) hopes to be able to ramp up baseball activities next week, Tony Andracki of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

He is still working through a strengthening routine but will travel with the team to New York next week, which is when he may be able to ramp up activities. Manager Joe Maddon said everyone in the organization is optimistic, but it still seems like Contreras is at least a couple weeks away from game action.