MLB Player News

Contreras (hand) won't be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said the team isn't yet at the point of needing to add another catcher to the 26-man active roster, but he didn't rule it out in the future. Contreras was hit in the left hand by a pitch in Wednesday's loss to San Diego, and the Cardinals are still waiting for swelling in the hand to go down before he can undergo X-rays. If Contreras has to miss time, Ivan Herrera would be in line to serve as St. Louis' primary catcher, and Pedro Pages would likely be recalled from Triple-A Memphis.

McCutchen is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Nationals.

He will yield to Connor Joe at designated hitter against right-hander Josiah Gray. McCutchen is 3-for-16 with a 9:4 K:BB across his first 21 plate appearances this season.

Garcia is absent from the lineup in Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

The Nationals are facing lefty Martin Perez, so the left-handed hitting Garcia will take a seat. Garcia has been on the bench both times the Nationals have gone up against southpaws, so it would appear he'll be in a fairly strict platoon with the switch-hitting Ildemaro Vargas at second base.

Rosario is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

The lefty-hitting Rosario will retreat to the bench with southpaw Martin Perez on the mound for the Pirates. The newly recalled Jacob Young will replace Rosario in center field.

Weems (illness) struck out a batter and worked around a walk while allowing no runs over two-thirds of an inning en route to notching his first hold of the season in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Pirates.

Weems battled an illness earlier in the week that left him unavailable for the Nationals' series opener versus Pittsburgh, but he looks to be in the clear on the health front. After turning in a 3.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB in 54.2 innings over his 51 appearances with Washington in 2023, Weems should be a key part of the bridge to the ninth inning this season.

Adams will start at catcher and bat fifth in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Much of Adams' playing time comes versus left-handers, and he will face southpaw Martin Perez on Thursday while Keibert Ruiz rests. Adams put up a .960 OPS in 76 plate appearances against lefties in 2023.

The Marlins selected Andriese's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Andriese will provide a fresh arm for a Miami bullpen that needs it. The 34-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021 and held a 6.05 ERA at the Triple-A level in 2023.

Bride was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville by the Marlins on Thursday.

He will yield his roster spot for new acquisition Emmanuel Rivera. Bride had one hit in seven at-bats during his time in the majors this season.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

The Marlins continue to embrace a timeshare behind the plate, as Fortes and Christian Bethancourt have now made four starts apiece at catcher through Miami's first eight games. One of the two catchers may separate himself from the other from a performance standpoint and eventually emerge as the clear No. 1 option, but Fortes hasn't done much to distinguish himself thus far. Through his first four starts, Fortes has gone 1-for-12 with a double and also reached base when he was hit by a pitch.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

He will give way to Riley Adams behind the plate in the series finale. Ruiz will sometimes serve as the Nationals' designated hitter on days he doesn't catch, but it looks like he'll receive a full day off Thursday.