MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith started each of the last two games and went 4-for-7 with a homer, two runs and two RBI. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 9-8 loss to the Orioles.

The 31-year-old continued a power surge that has seen him slug four homers in the last five games and 10 in his last 16. Perez's 42 homers and 104 RBI on the year have shattered his prior career highs, and the latter mark leads the majors while being just one long ball behind Shohei Ohtani for the HR crown. It's been half a century since a catcher led the league in home runs (Johnny Bench in 1972) and three decades since one led MLB in RBI (Darren Daulton in 1992), but Perez has a legitimate chance to make history in both categories.

Trevino went 1-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Trevino was in the middle of a three-run eighth inning that rendered Arizona's two-run ninth meaningless. He drove in two with a single then scored on Jason Martin's ground-rule double. Earlier, he drove in a run on a fielder's choice. While Jonah Heim has surged ahead of Trevino on the depth chart, the 28-year-old veteran is not going away quietly. Over the last 13 games, Trevino is batting .313 (15-for-48) with an .857 OPS and 10 RBI.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two doubles and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to San Francisco.

The catcher entered Wednesday's contest just 1-for-11 across six games in September prior to the three-hit outburst. Diaz has thrived with Colorado this year, swatting 16 homers with 35 RBI and 45 runs scored despite slashing just .232/.303/.461 across 314 plate appearances. Diaz's recent slump allowed Dom Nunez to earn a more even time behind the dish, but the latter hasn't been as consistent a hitter this year.

Caratini will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday against the Angels.

Caratini continues to serve as the personal catcher for Yu Darvish, who is on the mound Wednesday for the Friars. Beyond Darvish's starts, Caratini has struggled to pick up playing time behind No. 1 backstop Austin Nola since early August. Dating back to Aug. 1, Caratini has started in only 11 of the Padres' 32 games, slashing .175/.190/.225 with four runs and three RBI.

Murphy is out of the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old finds himself on the bench for the third consecutive game and for the eighth time in the past 10 contests. Murphy is 3-for-28 with a 40 percent strikeout rate in his past nine appearances, paving the way for Yan Gomes to take over as Oakland's primary catcher.

Ruiz (knee) is starting Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz fouled a ball off his knee Saturday and had been out of the lineup since then, but he went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter Tuesday. However, his knee is feeling better Wednesday, and he'll start at catcher and bat seventh.

Nola isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Nola went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in Tuesday's series opener, but he'll take a seat for the second time in the last three games. Victor Caratini will start behind the dish and bat eighth with Yu Darvish on the mound Wednesday.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Mejia (shoulder) will be available off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.

Though top backstop Mike Zunino will remain behind the dish Wednesday, the Rays' decision not to add another catcher to the 28-man active roster for the series finale in Boston implies confidence in Mejia's health. A bruised right shoulder has kept Mejia on the bench for two straight games, but Cash said the 25-year-old could re-enter the lineup Friday in Detroit.

Mejia (shoulder) isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Mejia will take a seat for a second straight game with Mike Zunino starting at catcher and batting ninth. However, the 25-year-old said he felt better Tuesday, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him available off the bench in Wednesday's series finale.