MLB Player News
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Tucker Barnhart C | TEX
Cubs' Tucker Barnhart: Sitting against lefty
Barnhart is not in the starting lineup Friday against Miami.
Barnhart will take a seat as the Cubs face off against left-hander Jesus Luzardo, with Yan Gomes behind the plate and batting eighth. Barnhart has produced just two hits over his last 18 at-bats while striking out nine times, so it's possible that Gomes, who's batting .257 with two homers and seven RBI over 35 at-bats versus righties this year, sees his workload increase.
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Francisco Alvarez C | NYM
Mets' Francisco Alvarez: Starting at catcher Friday
Alvarez (head) is starting at catcher and batting ninth Friday versus Atlanta, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Alvarez was lifted from Thursday's series finale against the Nationals after getting hit in the head by a couple of swings, but he checked out fine after the game and will make a second straight start behind the plate for the Mets. Tomas Nido is on the bench.
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Jacob Stallings C | BAL
Marlins' Jacob Stallings: Day off Friday
Stallings is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Stallings will take a seat as the Marlins elect to have Nick Fortes catch for Jesus Luzardo. Stallings has gone 0-for-10 over his last three starts, so he'll hope the day off will help him get right at the plate.
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Tom Murphy C | SF
Mariners' Tom Murphy: Playing time sparse
Murphy, who played for the first time since last Friday in Thursday's loss to the Phillies and went 2-for-3 with a double, has logged only 29 plate appearances and appeared in nine of the Mariners' first 25 games.
The veteran is healthy after appearing in just 14 games in 2022 due to a shoulder injury, but he's seen Cal Raleigh draw 20 starts overall, with 19 of those coming behind the dish. That's left few opportunities for Murphy, and his timing at the plate unsurprisingly seems to be suffering. Even factoring in his first multi-hit effort of the season Thursday, Murphy is slashing just .138/.138/.207.
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Connor Wong C | BOS
Red Sox's Connor Wong: Sitting Friday
Wong will sit Friday against the Guardians, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Wong will get a breather after he went 1-for-3 with two walks, a run scored and three strikeouts over two starts during a three-game series with the Orioles. Reese McGuire will take over behind the plate and bat eighth in the series opener with Cleveland.
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Freddy Fermin C | SD
Royals' Freddy Fermin: Optioned to Triple-A
Fermin was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
After being called up one week ago, Fermin went 1-for-7 at the plate with two strikeouts while making two starts at catcher for the Royals. With Salvador Perez (back) expected to be available Friday, there is no longer a need for Fermin on the big-league roster. Nick Pratto was called up from Omaha to replace him.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: On track for Friday return
Smith (concussion) is expected to be activated from the injured list ahead of the Dodgers' game against the Cardinals on Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Manager Dave Roberts had said earlier this week that the catcher probably wouldn't be back until at least Saturday, but now the skipper says Smith will be in Friday's lineup at designated hitter as long as he is cleared and gets through live batting practice with no issues. Part of the reasoning for bringing him back a day earlier is that J.D. Martinez (back) is still banged up. Smith hasn't played since April 12 due to a concussion but has been symptom free for about a week.