MLB Player News

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals, Jamie Ramsey of the Reds' front office reports.

Barnhart will get the day off after starting Thursday's game against the Rockies. In his place, Ramon Cabrera will handle catching duties and bat eighth in the lineup. Barnhart has started five of the last six games for the Reds, and will likely be back behind the plate Saturday.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto caught the last four games for the Marlins and will take a day off in favor of Jeff Mathis for Friday's contest. This season, Realmuto is hitting .294/.317/.390 with two home runs and 19 RBI, providing a good bat from the catcher's spot.

Jackson has gone 5-for-48 (.104 average) over 14 games with Low-A Clinton this season.

Though Jackson was fully healthy, the Mariners held the outfielder back in extended spring training when camp broke, presumably in an effort to refine his swing following a rough start to his professional career. He was ultimately cleared to make his debut with Clinton on May 19, but Jackson's issues with making contact have once again reared their head. Though three of his five hits have left the yard, he's struck out 18 times, or in 30.5 percent of his plate appearances. The 20-year-old still has time on his side, but since Jackson has been in the pro ranks for almost two years and has yet to experience any sustained success, those holding him in dynasty leagues have justifiable reason to be worried.

Perez (quadriceps) may be available as a pinch hitter by the end of the Royals' weekend series against the Indians, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

Perez continued to participate in some light conditioning work Thursday for the second day in a row and he resumed throwing. While his arm is not the issue, Dodd reports that Perez is still having some difficulty getting down into his catching stance. The hope is that Perez will be able to come in as a pinch hitter over the weekend, but there's still no word on when the All-Star will be able to get back behind the plate.

McCann is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

He started five of the Tigers' final six games of May, but is now set to sit for a second straight game to begin June. McCann is just 1-for-his-last-10 and 3-for-his-last-18, with his season batting line sitting at an ugly .150/.200/.188. Jarrod Saltalamacchia isn't hitting or getting on base at a good clip either, but at least he can provide some pop.

Casali went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo homer and a walk against the Royals on Wednesday.

The backstop had one more hit Wednesday than he'd collected in his prior nine appearances combined, as he's struggled mightily this year. He does have six homers in 106 at-bats, which isn't bad, but that .170 average is a major drain. That said, some BABIP normalization should at least bring him over the Mendoza Line in time.

Stephenson is on the the minor league 7-day DL at Low-A Dayton with a left wrist sprain, according to Reds Assistant Director of Media Relations, Jamie Ramsey.

Stephenson, the Reds' first-round pick in 2015, has really struggled at Dayton this year, hitting .196/.267/.272 in 92 at-bats.

Perez (quadriceps) took light swings and did some light running Wednesday, the Kansas City Star's Rustin Dodd reports.

He is expected to be sidelined for at least a few more days, with Drew Butera getting the bulk of the work behind the plate.

Maldonado went 1-for-3 with a homer in Wednesday's 3-1 win over St. Louis.

Maldonado's homer was a bright spot in an otherwise poor season so far as he's batted .091 coming into Wednesday's game. He's only started 10 games this year with Jonathan Lucroy receiving most of the catching duties which has likely resulted in the 29-year-old not finding his groove yet.

Barnhart is not in the lineupfor Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Barnhart will get a rest after catching four consecutive days in games against the Brewers and Rockies. The 25-year-old is hitting .240/.292/.339 with one home run and nine RBI this season and will likely be back behind the plate Thursday.