MLB Player News

Maldonado is "banged up" according to manager Dusty Baker but could still appear off the bench Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado will sit in favor of Dustin Garneau on Tuesday for the first time this postseason, though his absence was apparently a coach's decision and not related to his minor injuries. Expect him back as soon as Game 4 on Wednesday if not before.

Maldonado is not starting Game 3 of the ALCS against the Rays on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado has started every playoff game thus far for the Astros this season, hitting just .154/.214/.308. Dustin Garneau will catch Jose Urquidy in his absence.

Barrera (suspension) was reinstated from the restricted list Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Barrera was originally hit with an 80-game ban after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, but he evidently had his suspension reduced to just 60 games. He could potentially push for playing time as a backup catcher next season, though he's played in just two big-league games and none at the Triple-A level.

Smith went 5-for-6 with a run and three RBI in Thursday's NLDS Game 3 win over the Padres.

Smith was trouble for Padres pitchers throughout the game, finishing with three singles and a pair of doubles. He drove in one run with a single in the top of the fourth and added two more RBI on a double in the top of the ninth. He's now hitting .294/.429/.412 through five postseason games, a huge step up from his struggles in his first taste of playoff action last year, when he grabbed just a single hit in four games.

D'Arnaud went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, two RBI and one run scored in a win over the Marlins on Thursday in Game 3 of the NLDS.

It wasn't any of the Braves' top three hitters that led the offense in the series, but d'Arnaud. The backstop went 6-for-10 with three walks, two homers, seven RBI and three runs scored in what turned out to be a three-game sweep for Atlanta. Designated for assignment by the Mets in April of 2019, d'Arnaud ended up finishing the 2020 regular season fifth in fWAR at the catcher position.

Nola will be on the bench for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Thursday.

Nola has started all five postseason games thus far but has had very little success at the plate, grabbing just a single hit. Jason Castro (jaw) will be the catcher in his absence.

Sanchez will sit for Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rays on Thursday.

It's been quite a fall from grace for the catcher, who sits in favor of Kyle Higashioka for the third time this series. It's not hard to see why the Yankees don't want Sanchez in the lineup in an elimination game, as he's gone 1-for-8 with four strikeouts this postseason after hitting a miserable .147/.253/.365 during the regular season.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's win over the Marlins in Game 2 of the NLDS.

D'Arnaud stayed red hot in the NLDS, blasting a home run for the second straight game. The veteran had nine home runs and 34 RBI in the regular season and continues to showcase that power in the postseason. D'Arnaud has started each of Atlanta's playoff games so far and should continue to serve as the Braves' primary backstop.

Sanchez isn't in the lineup for Game 3 of the ALDS against the Rays on Wednesday.

Sanchez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts during Game 2 on Tuesday, and he'll get a breather for the third game of the series. Kyle Higashioka will take over behind the plate.

D'Arnaud went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two walks during the Game 1 win over the Marlins.

The 31-year-old started off the NLCS in fantastic fashion as he reached in all five plate appearances, including a three-run homer during the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie. D'Arnaud has started all three playoff games thus far and should continue to work as Atlanta's primary backstop.