MLB Player News

Pages isn't in the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Pages went 3-for-7 with a walk and a run scored during St. Louis' last series against Pittsburgh, but he'll stay put in the dugout to begin Saturday's festivities. Ivan Herrera will handle catching duties in Game 1 while Nolan Gorman works as the DH and Cesar Prieto starts at third base.

Kirk (thumb) will be evaluated by the Blue Jays training staff this weekend as he prepares to take the next step in his rehab, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The backstop has been catching bullpens and taking live BP at the team's spring training complex in Dunedin. Assuming Kirk's surgically repaired thumb checks out OK, he could be cleared for a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since April 3, and his return to the big-league lineup appears to be drawing close. Brandon Valenzuela and Tyler Heineman will continue to split duties behind the plate until Kirk is activated from the IL.

Garver went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's win over the Royals.

Garver's two-run homer was not only all the offense the Mariners produced throughout the game, but they were the lone two runs of the entire game. Garver has been slumping at the plate recently, tallying just four hits across 28 at-bats in 13 games since the beginning of May -- although two of those have left the yard. Expect Garver to handle the majority of the catching reps as long as Cal Raleigh (oblique) remains sidelined, but Garver should not be expected to be a major fantasy contributor. He's hitting just .143 with a .690 OPS in 13 games in May.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Friday's win over the Dodgers.

Contreras made his presence felt early in the game with a three-run shot in the first inning, giving him four long balls on the year. This impressive three-hit performance extended Contreras' hitting streak to seven games, a stretch in which he has four multi-hit efforts while slashing .419/.438/.516 over 32 plate appearances.

Goodman went 2-for-4 with a walk, two stolen bases and one run scored in Friday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Goodman entered this contest 0-for-12 with six strikeouts over his last four games. He did significantly better than that and even made a rare contribution on the basepaths, picking up his second and third steals of the year. This is the first time he's logged more than one theft in a season over his four years in the majors. Goodman is batting .242 with a .776 OPS, 11 home runs, 19 RBI, 29 runs scored and eight doubles over 47 contests this season, though his 35.2 percent strikeout rate is likely to continue to hold back his rate stats.

O'Hoppe was removed from Friday's game against the Rangers with an apparent head injury, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 26-year-old backstop was slow to his feet after he collided with Josh Jung on a play at the plate in the seventh inning. O'Hoppe remained in the game for his at-bat in the bottom of the frame but was replaced behind the dish when the Angels took the field for the eighth. He said after the game that he feels fine, per Fletcher, but the Angels will put him through concussion protocol as a precaution. Sebastian Rivero would take over as the Halos' primary catcher if O'Hoppe ends up needing a move to the injured list.

Susac isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Susac has reached base six times and driven in two runs across his last three games, but the Giants will keep him on the bench to begin Friday's contest. Jesus Rodriguez will get the nod at catcher and bat seventh.

Romo is not in the White Sox's starting lineup against the Giants on Friday.

Romo will be on the bench for the beginning of Friday's contest while Edgar Quero starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Romo has gone 8-for-45 (.178) with one steal, four home runs and seven RBI since being called up by the White Sox in late April.

Fermin is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Athletics on Friday.

Fermin will get a breather Friday while Rodolfo Duran starts behind home plate and bats ninth. Fermin has struggled at the plate this season, and since May 1 he's gone 5-for-40 (.125) with a 2:9 BB:K.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

Ruiz had started each of the last two contests for the Nationals but will get a break during Friday's series opener. Drew Millas will start at catcher and bat eighth for the Nats.