MLB Player News

Casali (wrist) was used off the bench in Game 2 of last week's series-clinching loss to the Braves, catching one inning and logging no plate appearances.

Casali started behind the dish in Game 1 of the series, but he exited in the sixth inning of a 1-0 loss in 13 innings while he battled a sore wrist. While he ceded his spot in the lineup to Tucker Barnhart in Game 2, Casali's entry into the game as a substitute suggests he'll head into the winter healthy. Unless the Reds feel confident that top catching prospect Tyler Stephenson is ready for a full-time assignment in the majors in 2021, Casali will likely reprise his role as a part-timer alongside Barnhart next season.

Casali is battling a sore wrist but is available off the bench Thursday for Game 2 of the Wild Card Round against Atlanta, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Casali played the first six innings in Game 1 on Wednesday, which proved to be slightly less than half of the 13-inning contest. Tucker Barnhart starts behind the plate in Game 2.

Perez was removed from Wednesday's Game 2 against the Yankees with a right wrist contusion, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Perez went 2-for-3 with one RBI and was also hit by a pitch before exiting the contest. The severity of the injury remains unclear, so the 31-year-old should be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status.

The Cardinals added Knizner to their 28-man roster Wednesday ahead of the team's wild-card series with the Padres, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Knizner is slated to serve as the Cardinals' No. 3 catcher behind Yadier Molina and Matt Wieters during the three-game series. The 25-year-old appeared in eight games during the regular season, going 4-for-16 with four RBI.

The Dodgers added Ruiz to their 28-man roster Wednesday in advance of their wild-card series with the Brewers, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Ruiz will serve as a third catcher behind Will Smith and Austin Barnes for the three-game series. The Dodgers removed reliever Alex Wood from the roster to clear room for Ruiz.

The Padres reinstated Campusano (wrist) from the 10-day injured list and included him on the 28-man roster for the team's wild-card series with the Cardinals that begins Wednesday.

He'll serve as the Padres' No. 3 catcher behind Austin Nola and Jason Castro during the three-game series. Campusano appeared in one game before being shut down in early September with a sprained left wrist, going 1-for-3 with a solo home run in that contest.

Kirk is out of the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the Blue Jays' wild-card series with the Rays.

With Vladimir Guerrero serving as the team's designated hitter Wednesday and Danny Jansen starting behind the plate, Kirk will be squeezed out of the lineup. The rookie was the DH in Tuesday's 3-1 loss, going 1-for-3 with a base hit.

Wallach will start at catcher and will bat ninth Wednesday in Game 1 of the Marlins' wild-card series with the Cubs, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Though Jorge Alfaro (when healthy) has retained the top spot on the Marlins' depth chart at catcher for much of this season, his struggles at the dish resulted in him ceding work to Wallach down the stretch. Wallach was behind the plate for three of the Marlins' final four regular-season contests, and his inclusion in the lineup for the team's postseason opener leaves little doubt that manager Don Mattingly views him as the top backstop for the time being.

Jeffers is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Astros.

It seems the rookie backstop is atop the Twins' depth chart, as he will draw his second straight start of these playoffs. Jeffers went 0-for-2 in Game 1 before being replaced by Mitch Garver.

Barnhart is not in Wednesday's Game 1 lineup against Atlanta.

It's not surprising to see Barnhart, who bats left-handed, go to the bench with southpaw Max Fried starting for Atlanta. Curt Casali gets the nod behind the dish while batting ninth.