MLB Player News

Gomes is not in the lineup Saturday against Atlanta.

Gomes and Kurt Suzuki have each started four games in the second half. Suzuki gets the nod behind the plate for Saturday's contest.

Smith (wrist) went 1-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Triple-A Oklahoma City's win over San Antonio on Friday.

The 24-year-old got crossed up behind the plate Wednesday and the pitch hit his right wrist, forcing Smith from the game. He was then held out Thursday, but Smith was back a day later and proved his health with his 19th long ball with Oklahoma City this season (22nd total). Smith is on the 40-man roster and could return to Los Angeles before Sept. 1 if there is an injury, or if the Dodgers decide to move on from Austin Barnes as the primary starter.

Diaz is not in the lineup Saturday against the Phillies.

Diaz has hit an unimpressive .255/.308/.327 on the season. He and Jacob Stallings, who will startl behind the plate Saturday, have alternated starts over the last six games.

Mejia is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

On the bench for the third time in four games, Mejia looks to have fallen into a timeshare at catcher with Austin Hedges after having appeared to seize control of primary duties in late June. A bat-first catcher, Mejia hasn't helped his case for sticking ahead of Hedges on the depth chart by supplying a lackluster .205/.244/.308 through 12 games this month.

Contreras (foot) is scheduled to take batting practice Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Contreras' ability to face live pitching is an encouraging sign for his recovery from a strained arch muscle in his right foot, but the real test of his health will come when he resumes baserunning and catching duties. Until that happens, the Cubs likely won't be able to pinpoint a definitive target date for Contreras' return. In the meantime, Chicago will get by with a timeshare of Victor Caratini and Martin Maldonado at catcher.

Barnes isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

Barnes will take a seat for the second time in the last three contests. Russell Martin is set to handle the catching duties and bat eighth with Barnes out of the lineup.

Barnhart (oblique) will take batting practice Saturday and could start a rehab assignment next week, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Barnhart landed on the injured list with a right oblique strain at the end of June but appears to be nearing a rehab assignment. The Reds are in dire need of help behind the plate with Curt Casali (knee) and Kyle Farmer (concussion) also on the shelf, though Barnhart is unlikely to rejoin the team before August.

Diaz will start at catcher and bat eighth against the Phillies on Friday.

He has just five hits in his last 36 at-bats since June 28, good for a .139 batting average. Perhaps more importantly, Diaz has started only seven of 12 games in July as Jacob Stallings has become the personal catcher to both Chris Archer and Joe Musgrove. Diaz is 0-for-4 lifetime with three strikeouts against Friday's starter, Jake Arrieta.

Contreras (foot) is slated for baseball activity Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Contreras is recovering from a strain of the arch muscle in his right foot that landed him on the 10-day injured list July 14 and created roster space for the addition of Martin Maldonado. Maldonado and Victor Caratini will continue handling the catching duties in his absence. The 27-year-old Contreras featured a .304/.407/.652 slash line with two home runs, seven RBI and five runs scored in 23 at-bats across six July starts.

Caratini will be on the bench Friday against the Padres.

Caratini and Martin Maldonado are splitting time in the absence of Willson Contreras (foot). Maldonado gets the nod Friday for the second time in three games.