MLB Player News

Smith is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith hits the bench after starting seven of the last eight games. He posted a 1.074 OPS over that stretch, right in line with his season-long 1.013 mark in that category. Austin Barnes will be the catcher Friday.

Caratini will be on the bench Friday against the Twins.

Caratini has started 31 out of the Cubs' 51 games this season, but he'll sit for the second straight game here. With a .456 OPS over his last 17 games, it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if his opportunities drop off down the stretch. Willson Contreras will catch Friday, with Jason Kipnis serving as the designated hitter.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

Narvaez continues to struggle at the plate and is 1-for-11 in his past five games, so he'll take a seat against left-hander Danny Duffy. Jacob Nottingham receives the start at catcher Friday for Milwaukee.

Manager Dave Roberts indicated Thursday that he is considering using Smith as the team's designated hitter in games that he doesn't catch during the playoffs, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Though catchers aren't typically targeted for the DH role, Smith has been one of the Dodgers' best hitters this season, leading Roberts to consider a way to keep his bat in the lineup on an everyday basis. Austin Barnes will certainly catch some contests if the Dodgers advance beyond the first round of the playoffs, but Roberts used both Barnes and Smith in the starting lineup when Smith DH'd last week, and the same setup could be employed again this weekend as the team prepares for the postseason. The desire to deploy Smith as an offensive weapon is justified by his .303/.417/.596 slash line and 18:16 BB:K.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

Jansen will head to the bench for Friday's matinee after going 3-for-4 with two runs and one RBI during Thursday's loss to the Yankees. Alejandro Kirk receives the start behind the plate in Game 1.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.

Stallings will receive a breather in the first game of the twin bill and figures to rejoin the lineup for the nightcap. John Ryan Murhpy starts behind the plate in the matinee, batting ninth.

Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two runs scored and two RBI in a 10-7 win over Toronto on Thursday.

Sanchez doubled in a run during the Yankees' seven-run fourth inning and capped the team's offensive onslaught with a solo shot to left field in the seventh. The home run marked New York's 19th in its three-game series against the Blue Jays, establishing a major-league record for a regular-season series of any length. Remarkably, the two-hit effort was a first for Sanchez in 41 games this season. He's still hitting a paltry .145 overall but is building momentum by going 4-for-13 with a pair of homers, six RBI and only one strikeout over his last three starts.

Garver (right intercostal strain) had a setback after getting hit below the belt with a foul ball while catching at Minnesota's alternate training camp in St. Paul, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Garver has been on the injured list since Aug. 19 and it was thought he could return this week, but his additional injury set him back. It sounds like he could be activated next week when the Twins return from a seven-game road trip. However, with three catchers on the roster and rookie Ryan Jeffers playing well, Garver may be limited to a reserve role.

Realmuto (hip) won't play over the weekend, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Realmuto continues to deal with a hip issue, and it'll hold him out at least until Monday's matchup in Washington. Andrew Knapp will handle the catching duties until Realmuto is cleared to return.

Plawecki went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Marlins.

Plawecki got the Red Sox on the board in the top of the sixth inning, driving in two on a single to left field. The backup catcher has been making the most of his opportunities of late, coming through with a base knock in four of his last five contests. He's driven in six runs over that stretch.