MLB Player News

Contreras went 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI during Thursday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

The backstop has been a fantasy force over his past 25 games with nine homers, 27 RBI, 16 runs and a .340/.415/.681 slash line. That pace is obviously unsustainable, but Contreras has also settled into the heart of the lineup and should continue to see plenty of RBI opportunities hitting behind Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. He's close to locking himself into mention among the top-tier fantasy catchers, if he hasn't already.

Mesoraco (knee) could be back in the lineup within the next "48-to-72 hours" according to manager Bryan Price, The Cincinnati Enquirer's Zach Buchanan reports.

Mesoraco has been out since Saturday with a knee injury that will force him to miss at least a couple more games. It doesn't appear as though the injury will warrant any sort of trip to the disabled list, but the catcher could miss a week of action by the time he comes back. In his place, Tucker Barnhart sets up behind the plate for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Grandal is out of the lineup against the Braves on Thursday.

Grandal receives a day off after two straight starts behind the plate, going 1-for-8 with five strikeouts during those games. In his place, Austin Barnes draws the assignment of catching Alex Wood, while batting sixth.

Mesoraco (knee) will miss his fourth straight game during Thursday's contest with the Pirates.

Mesoraco hasn't been a part of the starting lineup since Saturday when he exited the game against Miami due to knee injury. There hasn't been much word concerning Mesoraco's timetable, so he should be considered day-to-day moving forward. Tucker Barnhart will continue to draw the starts at catcher in his stead.

D'Arnaud is not in Thursday's lineup against the Rockies.

D'Arnaud gets a day off after catching the previous four games, going 6-for-16 with one RBI during that span. In his place, Rene Rivera sets up behind the plate, batting eighth.

Mesoraco (knee) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

Although his removal from Saturday's contest was considered precautionary, Mesoraco will now have missed three straight games due to the issue. Tucker Barnhart will assume catching duties in his stead.

Contreras is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Contreras started the past five contests, so he'll hit the bench for a night off despite collecting tow hits and two RBI Tuesday night. Alex Avila will pick up his first start in Chicago to replace him behind the plate.

Hedges went 2-for-3 with a double and a two-run homer against the Twins on Tuesday.

After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts upon his return from a DL stint due to a concussion Sunday, Hedges found his batting stroke in the Padres' very next game. His 14 homers and 43 RBI are relatively credible stats from the catcher position, but Hedges' .220 average is a major drag. However, we're talking about a 24-year-old who hit .326 with 21 homers and 82 RBI in 82 games at the Triple-A level last year -- numbers suggestive of high-end upside that he could yet realize in coming seasons.

Caratini was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Caratini didn't play much during his first cup of coffee on the north side, but he certainly made the most of his few chances, ripping three of his five hits for extra bases. He was expendable with Alex Avila arriving to the team via trade, so the 23-year-old will head back to the minors for further development. Caratini will likely find his way back to the majors when rosters expand in September, but he'll be hard-pressed to find as much playing time.

Mesoraco (knee) is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

Despite Monday's off-day, Mesoraco's knee still isn't feeling well enough to allow him to get back behind the plate. Tucker Barnhart will continue to assume regular catching duties until the embattled catcher is healthy again.