MLB Player News

Sanchez is not in Thursday's lineup against the Mets.

Sanchez has seven home runs on the season, but he has just 13 total hits while striking out at a 39.1 percent clip. At this point, it will be a challenge for him to finish the season above the Mendoza Line (current .135 average). Kyle Higashioka will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in an extra-inning win over Arizona on Wednesday.

The Diamondbacks chose to pitch to Smith -- rather than try to set up a double play -- with the winning run on third base and one out in the bottom of the 10th inning, and the backstop made them pay with a game-winning single to left field. The walkoff hit was the third for Smith in only 75 career games. In contrast to his disappointing .208 batting average this season, Smith has notched a .302 xBA and owns the highest walk rate (22.9 percent) along with the fifth-best Whiff% (12.4 percent) in the league among players with at least 50 plate appearances while striking out only 10 times.

Stallings is not in Thursday's lineup against the Cubs.

Stallings had been swinging a hot bat all season, but he has a 36.4 percent strikeout rate, albeit with an 18.2 percent walk rate, over his last five games. John Ryan Murphy is starting at catcher and hitting ninth.

Realmuto went 0-for-2 with two walks, a steal and a run scored Wednesday as the Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-0.

Realmuto went hitless on the day but still managed to make an impact offensively by drawing two walks and scoring the game-deciding run in the fourth inning. The two-time All-Star possesses a .263/.349/.535 slash line and is leading all catchers with nine home runs and 26 RBI.

Barnhart went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer and a walk during Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Cardinals.

The 29-year-old's 414-foot, two-run shot during the fifth inning tied the game at 3-3, allowing the Reds to win via a walkoff single from Joey Votto in the ninth. Barnhart has a .188/.278/.313 slash line with two homers, eight RBI and 19 strikeouts in 72 plate appearances.

Contreras went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Pirates.

Contreras slotted in second in the order with Kris Bryant out of the lineup, and the Chicago catcher responded. It's been a rough go of it so far for Contreras, as he entered the night batting under .200. The three-hit effort bumped his average up to .216, and perhaps it will get him going at the plate for a sustained period of time.

Perez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Royals with right shoulder fatigue, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The 31-year-old missed the about three weeks after suffering a right shoulder strain in late July, so Cleveland is liable to remain cautious with any issues in the same area. Perez will have Thursday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before potentially missing any games, but a potential aggravation of his previous injury is a problematic development.

Nola is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Angels.

Nola made his debut with the Padres on Monday and went 1-for-3 with a run and a walk. Jason Castro, a fellow trade acquisition, will start behind the plate and bat ninth Wednesday for the Friars.

Perez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

After starting behind the plate in the first two games of the series, Perez will give way to Kevan Smith in the finale. Perez is expected to serve as the Rays' top backstop for the foreseeable future with Mike Zunino (oblique) on the shelf.

Vazquez isn't in Wednesday's lineup against Atlanta.

Vazquez recorded hits in each of the past two contests, but he'll get a day off for the series finale against Atlanta. Kevin Plawecki will take over at catcher.