• Will Smith drives in three runs in Dodgers victory
    Will Smith went 3-for-6 with a double and three RBI on Saturday night as the Dodgers outlasted the Giants in 11 innings.

    Advice: Smith beat out an infield single in the fourth inning that drove in a run and knotted the score at five runs apiece. He then delivered the game’s biggest hit in the 11th inning, smacking a two-run double that gave the Dodgers a two-run lead and put them well on their way to victory. With his three-hit night, the 29-year-old backstop is now hitting .269/.339/.466 with 11 homers and 50 RBI on the season. Rotoworld Today, 8:06 pm
     
  • Exits starting nine
    Smith is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the White Sox.

    Advice: Smith started each of the previous three games at catcher but will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench. Austin Barnes will step in behind the plate Wednesday. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 1:38 pm
     
  • Cardinals officially activate Contreras off the IL
    Cardinals activated C Willson Contreras (forearm) off the 10-day IL.

    Advice: It was a quick turnaround for Contreras who had surgery back in early May to repair a fractured left forearm when he was hit by J.D. Martinez’s swing. We should expect the Cardinals to ease Contreras in during the first couple of weeks with an extra day off or two, but his bat will be a welcome addition to the Cardinals’ lineup and fantasy lineups as well. Nick Raposo has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Rotoworld Monday, 12:43 pm
     
  • Returns from injured list
    The Cardinals activated Contreras (forearm) from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll start at catcher and bat third in the Cardinals' series opener versus Atlanta.

    Advice: Contreras was initially expected to miss around 10 weeks after he suffered a fractured left forearm in early May, but he'll make it back from the IL in just six and a half weeks. The Cardinals could manage Contreras' workload carefully as he settles back in with the big club, but fantasy managers should feel free to activate ahead of this week's action. Contreras posted a .950 OPS with six home runs over 31 games before getting injured. Rotowire.com Monday, 12:40 pm
     
  • Expected back Monday
    Contreras (forearm) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game versus Atlanta, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Contreras has played six rehab games with Triple-A Memphis, catching three games and serving as the designated hitter in three others. He's gone just 3-for-21 at the plate in those contests, but the Cardinals are more concerned with how he's feeling and reports on that are favorable. Contreras was initially supposed to be out until around the All-Star break when he fractured his left forearm in early May but will beat that timetable by a few weeks. Rotowire.com Monday, 6:45 am
     
  • Willson Contreras (forearm) could return on Monday
    The Athletic’s Katie Woo reports Willson Contreras (forearm) could return as early as Monday’s series opener against the Braves.

    Advice: Contreras is slated to get into a pair of rehab contests this weekend for Triple-A Memphis with the aim of returning early next week. The 32-year-old backstop has been on the shelf since undergoing surgery back in early May to repair a fractured left forearm. Barring something unexpected, he should return early next week, which would be a significant development for the Cardinals, and fantasy managers as well. Rotoworld Saturday, 10:10 am
     
  • Will Smith absent from Dodgers lineup on Friday
    Will Smith is absent from the Dodgers’ starting lineup for Friday night’s opener of their two-game Freeway Series against the Angels in Los Angeles.

    Advice: It’s a bit surprising to see the 29-year-old slugger sitting against a left-hander, but there hasn’t been any word yet about Smith dealing with any sort of injury. He did start three of the four games against the Rockies in Colorado, so perhaps it’s just a day of rest. Austin Barnes will do the catching for the Dodgers on Friday night and will bat ninth against Patrick Sandoval and the Angels. Rotoworld Friday, 3:37 pm
     
  • Riding pine Friday
    Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

    Advice: Smith has caught four of the Dodgers' last five games and will give way to Austin Barnes behind the plate Friday. Smith has just two hits in his last 23 at-bats, but the hits were a two-run triple and a solo homer. Rotowire.com Friday, 3:09 pm
     
  • Hits 11th homer
    Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo home run against Colorado in Thursday's 5-3 victory.

    Advice: Smith hit one of three Los Angeles long balls Thursday, bashing a 451-foot solo shot to center field in the fourth inning. It was the catcher's 11th home run of the campaign, which leads NL backstops. Across the majors, only three catchers have more homers than Smith this season, and only two (Adley Rutschman and William Contreras) have topped Smith's 45 RBI. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:29 pm