MLB Player News

Barnes (groin) will begin a two-game rehab assignment at High-A Rancho Cucamonga this week before returning to the Dodgers to start Friday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barnes landed on the injured list May 27 with the left groin issue, so the 29-year-old may need only a quick rehab stint. He was 7-for-16 with two doubles and four RBI in the five games prior to suffering the injury.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Phillies, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The Dodgers will continue the trend of sitting Smith every third game, despite his walkoff home run in Saturday. According to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports, manager Dave Roberts reiterated that the Dodgers will not carry three catchers when Austin Barnes (groin) returns from the injured list, meaning Smith will likely return to Triple-A Oklahoma City to receive consistent at-bats.

Knizner will make his major-league debut Sunday versus the Cubs, catching and batting eighth.

Knizner had his contract purchased from Triple-A Memphis on Friday after Yadier Molina (thumb) landed on the injured list, and he only had to wait a couple days to enter the big-league lineup. The 24-year-old was slashing .286/.355/.450 with five home runs prior to his promotion from Triple-A.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh.

Grandal started the last 14 games behind the dish for the Brewers, so it's no surprise to see him get the day off after playing all 13 innings of Saturday's victory. Manny Pina will serve as the catcher for Zach Davies and bat eighth.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Milwaukee.

Diaz went 3-for-7 with a double and four RBI in Saturday's 13-inning loss, and it's no surprise to see him take a seat after catching all 276 pitches in the extra-inning affair. Jacob Stallings will take over behind the plate and bat seventh in the series finale.

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

Gomes will retreat to the bench after starting behind the plate in the first two games of the series. Kurt Suzuki will catch for starting pitcher Max Scherzer in the final game in Cincinnati.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Phillies.

Smith saved his hit for the bottom of the ninth inning, raking his homer down the left-field line to give the Dodgers the win. Smith has gone 4-for-14 in four games, seeing the majority of the playing time behind the dish while Austin Barnes is out with a groin injury. Smith is expected to return to Triple-A Oklahoma City when Barnes is activated, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith will go back to Triple-A Oklahoma City when Austin Barnes (groin) returns from the injured list, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith has started four of six games since getting called up after Barnes' injury, but manager Dave Roberts said that the 24-year-old will head back to Triple-A when Barnes returns. Barnes is eligible for activation June 7, so Smith should see a few more at-bats as the stopgap until then. He was lighting up Triple-A before his callup and made a good first impression at the dish and defensively, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Smith get another run with the big club somewhere down the line this season.

Mejia (knee) was activated off the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

Mejia was with El Paso on a rehab assignment for a left knee sprain, and he will remain there instead of returning to the Padres. The young catcher slashed .167/.207/.259 with a 31 percent strikeout rate in 19 games prior to suffering the injury May 11. Austin Allen should continue to serve as the backup to starter Austin Hedges.

Casali went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two runs scored Friday against the Nationals.

Casili didn't waste much time in this one, giving the Reds an early five-run lead in the first inning with the help of a three-run blast to left. He would later double home a run in the fourth inning. The 30-year-old backstop has seen an uptick in playing time of late, likely due to his recent hot hitting. Casili has now reached safely in four of his last five contests.