MLB Player News

Manager Craig Albernaz said after Sunday's win against the Giants that the results of Rutschman's (ankle) MRI were encouraging, and the catcher may not require a lengthy stay on the injured list, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Rutschman landed on the injured list Saturday due to ankle inflammation, and the imaging indicates he's not dealing with a more serious issue. The 28-year-old will be eligible to be reinstated April 21, though it's unclear if he'll be ready to play by then. In the meantime, Samuel Basallo should operate as Baltimore's primary backstop while Maverick Handley handles backup duties.

Narvez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Narvaez will get a chance to catch his breath after he had started behind the plate in each of the Red Sox's previous three contests. Connor Wong will form a battery with starting pitcher Brayan Bello in the series finale.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

After starting behind the plate the past two days, Fortes will receive a breather. Hunter Feduccia will handle catching duties for the Rays.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Sunday that Heineman has been contending with back spasms lately, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The back issue explains why Heineman will be held out of the lineup for a third straight game Sunday against the Twins, paving the way for Brandon Valenzuela to make another start behind the dish. While Alejandro Kirk (thumb) is facing a long-term absence, Heineman should split time with Valenzuela more evenly once he's 100 percent.

Wells is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

It's likely just a maintenance day for Wells, who went 1-for-11 with a solo homer while starting the previous three contests. J.C. Escarra will do the catching Sunday for righty Cam Schlittler.

Caratini will start at catcher and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

With top backstop Ryan Jeffers receiving the afternoon off, Caratini will fill in behind the dish as he makes his seventh consecutive start -- three at first base, three at catcher and one at designated hitter. The veteran switch hitter is batting .286 (6-for-21) during that stretch with a double, two runs and three RBI.

Jeffers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Jeffers will receive a breather for the matinee contest after he started behind the dish in both of the Twins' first two games in Toronto. Victor Caratini will handle catching duties for Minnesota in the series finale.

Raleigh went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 8-7 victory against the Astros.

Raleigh kicked off the scoring with a two-run blast in the first inning and added a sacrifice fly in the fifth. The star catcher has yet to log a multi-hit game this season and is slashing a meager .145/.250/.291 with just two long balls through 15 games, so fantasy managers who roster him will certainly hope that Saturday's performance is the beginning of a turnaround. Raleigh does have 10 RBI on the campaign, so he's at least managed to knock in runs at a good clip despite his struggles getting on base.

Rutschman (ankle), who was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, is slated to undergo an MRI on Sunday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

The Orioles are listing Rutschman's injury as left ankle inflammation, but his upcoming imaging should clarify whether there's anything more serious going on while also helping to determine a timeline for the backstop's return. Samuel Basallo will likely catch most days while Rutschman is out, and Maverick Handley was called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday to provide another option behind the plate.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Cardinals.

Contreras laced a two-run double in the fourth inning before adding an RBI single in the ninth. The 33-year-old has been on fire since the calendar flipped to April, hitting safely in seven of nine games with four extra-base hits and all eight of his RBI on the season. Overall, he's slashing .250/.419/.417 with two homers and seven runs scored across 62 plate appearances.