MLB Player News

Grandal will sit Saturday against the Cubs.

Grandal returned from a brief absence due to a hand injury Thursday and started a pair of games, going hitless in both. He'll get a rest in this one, with James McCann taking over behind the plate.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and another run scored during Friday's win against the Angels.

Smith gave the Dodgers the lead with a two-run shot against Matt Andriese in the fifth inning. It was the seventh home run of the season for the 25-year-old backstop, who is slashing .290/.403/.570 across 35 games.

Huff went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Astros.

Huff went deep twice off Astros starter Jose Urquidy. Those were Huff's second and third homers of the year. The 22-year-old catcher is up to three RBI and four runs scored across 29 plate appearances, but he's also struck out nine times and walked just once.

Caratini went 1-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run and two total runs scored in Friday's 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Somewhat surprisingly, this was Caratini's first home run in 42 games this season, as he hit 11 bombs in 95 games a year ago. The 27-year-old remains behind Willson Contreras at catcher but he has been seeing time as the designated hitter, through manager David Ross can also deploy the likes of Jason Kipnis, Nico Hoerner and David Bote at DH. Caratini's playing time in the playoffs will likely be based on matchups and whether he can get hot at the plate.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with a walk, two home runs, three runs scored and four RBI in Friday's 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Contreras had a huge game and was instrumental in the big win over the Cubs' crosstown rivals. The catcher now has seven home runs and 26 RBI this season, and he'll look to carry some momentum into the playoffs, which start next week.

Plawecki went 3-for-4 with an RBI single and a run scored in Friday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Braves.

Plawecki recorded three hits in his second consecutive start behind the dish. He added an RBI single in the 10th inning, but Jeffrey Springs wasn't able to protect the Red Sox's lead. The 29-year-old Plawecki is slashing .342/.381/.468 with a homer, a stolen base, 17 RBI and seven runs scored across 84 plate appearances.

Nola isn't starting Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Giants.

Nola went 2-for-4 with one run during Friday's matinee. Jason Castro will start behind the dish with Nola out of the lineup for Game 2.

Diaz isn't in the lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Diamondbacks.

Diaz will hit the bench after recording a single and one walk over four plate appearances during Game 1. Tony Wolters will start at catcher for the nightcap.

Vazquez is not starting Friday against Atlanta.

Vazquez has a strong .327/.400/.510 slash line over his last 12 games but sits for the second time in three days. Kevin Plawecki gets the nod behind the plate.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup Friday against the Red Sox.

D'Arnaud is on the bench for the second straight game, but Atlanta is likely just providing him some extra rest with the NL East crown all sewn up. Tyler Flowers takes over behind the plate Friday, batting eighth.