MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Texas, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Smith started the past five games and will receive a day off after he went 11-for-22 with three doubles, three walks, five RBI and six runs during that stretch. Austin Barnes will step in behind the plate to catch for Emmet Sheehan.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

He'll get a breather for the day game after going 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run while playing all nine innings behind the dish in Saturday's 3-2 win. Ryan Jeffers will draw the start at catcher in the series finale.

Contreras (hip) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 31-year-old exited Saturday's contest with right hip discomfort and will be held out of the starting nine for at least one game. Ivan Herrera will take over behind the plate Sunday with Contreras banged up.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Stephenson will get a breather for the matinee game after he started behind the dish both of the past two days. Luke Maile will catch for starting pitcher Luke Weaver in the series finale.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Milwaukee, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy went 1-for-7 with a hit-by-pitch, a run and three strikeouts in the first two games against the Brewers and is hitting .083 through six games in the second half, so he'll take a seat for Sunday's series finale. Travis d'Arnaud will take over behind the plate and bat fifth.

The Diamondbacks recalled Herrera from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

He'll be back with the big club as a replacement on the 26-man active roster for fellow catcher Gabriel Moreno (shoulder), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. Herrera will likely serve as the primary backup to Carson Kelly for however long Moreno is ultimately sidelined.

The Diamondbacks placed Moreno on the 10-day injured list Sunday with left shoulder inflammation.

Moreno's move to the IL comes after he was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Reds. The Diamondbacks recalled catcher Jose Herrera from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move, but Carson Kelly should serve as Arizona's clear-cut No. 1 backstop for however long Moreno is sidelined.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Ruiz had started behind the dish in each of the Nationals' last six games, so he was probably overdue for a day off. Riley Adams will form a battery with starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore in the series finale.

Naylor is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old usually sits against left-handed pitchers but will take a seat Sunday with righty Aaron Nola starting for Philadelphia. Naylor has a .571 OPS this season and is 3-for-17 since the All-Star break. Cam Gallagher will step in behind the plate to catch for Xzavion Curry.

Higashioka will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Royals.

Higashioka will be making his fourth start in five games and looks poised to serve as the Yankees' top backstop after Jose Trevino was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier in the weekend with a wrist injury that will require season-ending surgery. Over 165 plate appearances this season, Higashioka has hit .227 while providing a modicum of pop (five home runs). Ben Rortvedt will serve as Higashioka's understudy for the time being but could get a look in the No. 1 role if Higashioka's high-strikeout tendencies send his batting average further south.