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Omar Narvaez C | HOU
Brewers' Omar Narvaez: Sitting versus southpaw
Narvaez is out of the lineup Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Narvaez is 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in his past two games and will exit the lineup with lefty Steven Brault on the mound for the Pirates. Jacob Nottingham will take over behind the plate Sunday.
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Christian Vazquez C | HOU
Red Sox's Christian Vazquez: Resting Sunday
Vazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Vazquez will be getting a routine breather after starting nine consecutive games, including each of the last four at catcher. Kevin Plawecki will replace him behind the dish, catching for Zack Godley in the series finale.
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Jacob Stallings C | BAL
Pirates' Jacob Stallings: Receives Sunday off
Stallings is not in the lineup Sunday against the Brewers.
Stallings has a 1.075 OPS over his past 13 games and went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a walk Saturday, but he'll take a seat for Sunday's afternoon game. John Ryan Murphy will start behind the plate for the Buccos.
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Ryan Jeffers C | MIN
Twins' Ryan Jeffers: On bench again
Jeffers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Sitting for the third time in four games, Jeffers looks to have slipped behind Alex Avila on the depth chart. So long as Mitch Garver (side) remains on the injured list, the righty-hitting Jeffers should at least fill the short side of a platoon with the lefty-hitting Avila.
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Gary Sanchez C | MIL
Yankees' Gary Sanchez: Receives vote of confidence from GM
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman indicated Saturday that the team is sticking with Sanchez as its starting catcher, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Sanchez has struggled mightily at the dish this season, slashing .130/.256/.338 across 90 plate appearances. The backstop remains a power threat -- his barrel rate (15.0 percent), average exit velocity (92.8 mph) and hard-hit rate (50.0 percent) are each at the 88th percentile or above league-wide -- but his trouble making contact (41.1 K%) has essentially reduced him to an all-or-nothing proposition each time he comes to the plate. Despite the rough start, the organization appears committed to allowing Sanchez to work out his troubles while remaining in the lineup. "We are going with Gary Sanchez," Cashman said. "He is by far our best option on both sides of the ball. We look forward to him finding his groove sooner than later, because we need it. I still have confidence in the player. This is a unique season and you're seeing struggles from successful players around the game."
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Michael Perez C | BAL
Rays' Michael Perez: Heads to bench
Perez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Though he's resting in the series finale, Perez is expected to occupy the strong side of a platoon with Kevan Smith behind the dish after Mike Zunino (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday. Perez is slashing .186/.217/.473 on the season and probably won't warrant attention outside of AL-only formats or mixed leagues that start two catchers.
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Victor Caratini C | MIN
Cubs' Victor Caratini: Not starting Sunday
Caratini is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
Caratini is 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts over his past five games and will stick on the bench Sunday. Willson Contreras starts behind the plate while Jason Kipnis serves as the designated hitter in the series finale.
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Curt Casali C | ATL
Reds' Curt Casali: Slugs homer in nightcap
Casali went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs.
Casali sat out the first game of the twin bill but started behind the plate and hit ninth in Game 2. He put the Reds ahead with a solo shot to left field in the third inning. Casali is slashing .205/.352/.568 with five homers but only six RBI this season.
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Tucker Barnhart C | TEX
Reds' Tucker Barnhart: Not starting Game 2
Barnhart is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs.
Barnhart went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts during the matinee and won't be starting both ends of the twin bill. Curt Casali takes over behind the plate, batting ninth.