MLB Player News

Contreras is behind the plate and leading off Wednesday against the Rays.

Following a 2-for-4 showing in Tuesday's loss, Contreras will slide up to the leadoff spot while catching John Lackey for the matinee. The 25-year-old has gotten on base twice in each of the past three contests, and with manager Joe Maddon unafraid to tinker around with the construction of the lineup, Contreras is set to try his hand at the top of the order.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rockies, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco will take a seat for the second straight game, and for the fifth time over the last nine contests. His .234/.333/.459 triple slash is respectable enough for a backstop, but his sporadic playing time from week to week makes him difficult to trust in a fantasy lineup.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Realmuto will finally get a breather after starting five games in a row and 10 of the last 11 overall. A.J. Ellis is set to take over behind the plate for Tuesday's starter, Jose Urena.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.

With Tuesday's game kicking off at 11:05 a.m. local time, d'Arnaud won't be asked to step in behind the plate after catching nine innings a night earlier. Rene Rivera will check in at catcher, working as the batterymate for Seth Lugo.

Realmuto went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Monday's loss to the Cardinals.

That's back-to-back three-hit efforts for the catcher, pushing his slash line on the year back up to .295/.352/.452. Realmuto may not reach double-digit steals again, but otherwise the 26-year-old is well on his way to a career season.

Mesoraco is out of the lineup Monday against the Rockies, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco is still viewed as the Reds' primary starter at catcher, but his erratic at-bat totals from week to week can often make him difficult to depend on in the fantasy realm. He'll find himself on the bench for the fourth time in six games as manager Bryan Price goes with Tucker Barnhart behind the dish in the series opener.

Stewart is out of the lineup Monday against the Phillies.

After starting four of the past six games behind the plate, Stewart's opportunities to see regular at-bats will likely draw to a close with the Pirates bringing back Francisco Cervelli (concussion) from the 7-day disabled list Monday. Stewart has never been known for his aptitude with the bat anyway, so it's unlikely that fantasy owners in NL-only leagues were relying on him for much production while Cervelli was sidelined.

Sanchez got the nod at first base Sunday, going 0-for-4 in a win over the Dodgers.

The veteran backstop earned a rare start at his secondary position after contributing two pinch-hit home runs since returning from the disabled list June 23. Sunday's start came on a routine rest day for the Padres' everyday first baseman, Wil Myers, so expect Sanchez to return to the bench Tuesday against the Nationals.

Grandal returned to the starting lineup Sunday after a two-day layoff, going 1-for-4 with his 11th home run of the season in a loss to the Padres.

Austin Barnes' two-homer, seven-RBI performance Friday earned the backup another start on Saturday, but Grandal reminded manager Dave Roberts why he is the Dodgers' top offensive catcher with a solo blast Sunday. It is worth noting that his bomb came against the left-handed Ryan Buchter, just his second homer off a southpaw this season. Barnes may have earned an extra start per week while his bat is hot, but Grandal is still the catcher to own from a fantasy perspective.

Realmuto went 3-for-6 with a double, two runs and two RBI on Sunday in Milwaukee.

Realmuto was tremendous out of the top spot with Dee Gordon sitting. His two-run single in the eight inning dashed any hopes of a Brewers comeback by making the score 9-3. The 26-year-old catcher is following up last season's .303/.343/.428 line with a .289/.348/.449 showing.