MLB Player News

Contreras (head) is expected to be in the lineup Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Contreras exited Thursday's game against the Cubs after being hit in the head by the backswing of Ian Happ. He passed a concussion test and his headaches have dissipated, clearing the path to his return to the lineup with a more protective mask.

Contreras exited Thursday's game against the Cubs due to a scalp laceration and is considered day-to-day, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Contreras was hit in the back of the head by Ian Happ's backswing in the first inning and immediately exited the game. A stint on the injured list certainly seems possible, but for now, the team is hoping he can return more quickly.

Contreras was removed from Thursday's game against the Cubs after getting hit in the head by Ian Happ's backswing, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Contreras was bleeding from the right side of his head and went through concussion protocols on the field before exiting with trainers. The Cardinals will take a closer look at Contreras and provide more information shortly, but it's possible the 31-year-old backstop misses a few games.

Pineda (oblique) will serve as the designated hitter Thursday with High-A Wilmington, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It will be Pineda's eighth total game on this current minor-league rehab assignment. He had to be pulled off a previous rehab stint in May because of a left oblique strain, but that injury seems to be fully in the rearview now. The 23-year-old catcher originally went on the major-league IL at the end of spring training because of a fractured finger.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup Thursday against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After going 1-for-4 and scoring a run Wednesday, Alvarez will get a breather for Thursday's series opener. Omar Narvaez will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Knizner went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-7 win over the Diamondbacks.

Knizner put the Cardinals ahead with an RBI single in the seventh inning, then added a two-run homer an inning later. The backup catcher has gone 3-for-14 with five RBI and three runs scored over four games since he returned from a groin injury July 16. Ivan Herrera is back with Triple-A Memphis, but Knizner is still likely to be limited to one or two games a week behind Willson Contreras. For the season, Knizner has a .226/.250/.419 slash line with a career-high six homers, 20 RBI, 19 runs scored and a stolen base through 129 plate appearances.

Thaiss is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Chad Wallach will catch for starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani in the early game, but expect Thaiss to check back in behind the plate for the nightcap. Thaiss remains atop the depth chart at catcher, but he's endured a rough July with a .156/.291/.289 slash line and only two extra-base hits on the month.

Fry went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Royals.

Fry's now hit three homers over his last eight games while going 8-for-24 (.333) with a 1.176 OPS in that span. Overall, the 27-year-old Fry is slashing an impressive .288/.342/.493 with four homers, 13 RBI, 10 runs scored and two steals across his first 79 plate appearances. While Bo Naylor will see the majority of reps behind the plate, Fry should be able to earn fairly regular at-bats thanks to his ability to play multiple infield and outfield positions.

Rutschman went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

He opened the scoring in the top of the third inning by taking Ranger Suarez deep, but the game was just about all Philly after that. Rutschman set a new career high in homers in the process with 14, topping the 13 he hit as a rookie in 2022, and his heavy workload this season doesn't seem to be wearing down the 25-year-old -- through 20 games in July, he's slashing a solid .269/.337/.462 with three home runs, 11 RBI and 12 runs.

Rogers is not in the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Eric Haase will do the catching for Michael Lorenzen. Presumably, Rogers will be behind the plate for the second tilt.