MLB Player News

Mejia is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Mejia started the last two games in Los Angeles but heads to the bench after going 2-for-8 with three strikeouts. Austin Hedges will start behind the plate and bat eighth for the Friars.

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

Diaz started the first two games of the series but will receive a breather Sunday after going 2-for-10. Jacob Stallings will take over behind the plate and bat eighth for the Pirates.

Casali is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Indians.

Casali started behind the dish in each of the Reds' last three games, going hitless with four strikeouts in eight at-bats. He'll cede catching duties to Kyle Farmer on Sunday as the Reds and Indians wrap up their first-half schedules.

Nido went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Phillies.

His bases-loaded double in the fifth inning proved to be the game-winning hit for the Mets. Nido's picked up two hits in three of his last four starts and is slashing .333/.357/.481 over his last seven games, but that's a span that stretches all the way back to June 18 as he remains behind Wilson Ramos on the depth chart.

Smith (oblique) has been activated from the 7-day injured list, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old backstop rejoined Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, going 1-for-1 with an RBI. Manager Dave Roberts said he wants to give Smith regular at-bats he might not see with the big club, which could keep him in Triple-A for the moment. However, he's been tearing up the Pacific Coast League and has fared well in his brief stints at the big-league level this season, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get called back up at some point.

Barnes is not starting Saturday against San Diego.

Barnes has a hit in each of his last three games, following a stretch in which he went hitless for eight straight. Russell Martin takes over behind the plate in his absence.

Gomes is not in the lineup Saturday against the Royals.

Gomes and Kurt Suzuki have settled into a fairly even split behind the plate in Washington, with Suzuki starting nine of the last 16 games. Suzuki's .270/.314/.503 slash line easily outpaces Gomes' .209/.303/.302, so it's hard to see Gomes' role increasing in the near future.

Smith (oblique) was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, retroactive to June 26, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

With an OPS north of 1.000 with Oklahoma City and three homers in his small MLB sample (29 plate appearances), Smith has surpassed fellow Dodgers catching prospect Keibert Ruiz in the minds of many evaluators, and some even felt he would be an upgrade over Austin Barnes as the starter in Los Angeles. However, Smith's stellar season has been interrupted by a strained right oblique muscle and there is currently no timetable for his return.

Contreras went 3-for-5 with a double, two-run home run and three RBI on Thursday against the Pirates.

Contreras delivered his 18th home run of the season in the third inning, taking Jordan Lyles deep. He collected his third RBI of the contest on a groundout in sixth inning, putting the Cubs up 10-3. It was the second consecutive multi-hit effort for Contreras, and he's now hitting .294/.386/.571 across 293 plate appearances for the season.

Mejia remains on the bench Thursday against the Dodgers.

Mejia owns an .861 OPS in 11 games since returning from the minors, dragging his season mark up to .615. Austin Hedges and his .557 OPS will start behind the plate Thursday.