MLB Player News

Contreras finished 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, a run scored and two strikeouts in Sunday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals.

Contreras' big blow came in the top of the ninth inning, as he hit a three-run bomb to tie the game and spoil closer Seung Hwan Oh's first official save opportunity following a Matt Carpenter error. The young backstop managed 12 dingers in 252 at-bats last season, and he's certainly a candidate to top 20 long balls over a full season.

Garcia was diagnosed with a concussion Sunday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Though a concussion is nothing to scoff at, Garcia was lucky to avoid a major injury following his nasty collision at the plate during Saturday's game against the White Sox. It's very possible that he will land on the disabled list, but the 27-year-old hopefully won't have to miss too much time to start the 2017 campaign. The Brewers formally reassigned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs to begin the season.

Murphy (forearm) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday.

Murphy continues to work his way back from the hairline fracture of his right forearm he sustained in mid March. He'll likely share catching duties with Tony Wolters upon his return. He's aiming to come back sometime during April.

Stewart (groin) was included on the Opening Day roster that the Pirates revealed Sunday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates' decision not to put Stewart on the 10-day DL to begin the season suggests the team isn't concerned that his groin will be much of an issue going forward. Francisco Cervelli is expected to pick up starts behind the plate in at least the Pirates' first two games of their series with the Red Sox, but Stewart could draw the assignment at catcher for the series finale Wednesday afternoon.

Mesoraco (hip) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday.

The DL placement is retroactive to Mar. 30, but it remains possible that Mesoraco may not be ready to return to live action when he's eligible to come off of the disabled list. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the season in extended spring training in order to receive regular at-bats. Tucker Barnhart will fill the starting catcher role in Mesoraco's absence.

Diaz went 1-for-2 in Montreal on Saturday as a minor-league callup.

He hit .286 in 35 spring at-bats. Given the likelihood of injury to Pittsburgh's top two catchers, Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart, there's a good chance Diaz could see considerable playing time in 2017. The 26-year-old features an unexciting slash line of .258/.323/.362 in eight minor-league seasons but batted .312 and .271 in 2014 and 2015, respectively, before getting hurt last year.

Garcia has been taken to a local hospital to have his left knee and head-and-neck area examined further, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 27-year-old backstop was injured in the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the White Sox on a scary home plate collision with Chicago's Nick Delmonico. After several minutes, he was placed onto a stretcher and carted off the field before being taken to the hospital. There is no further word on Garcia's status at this time, but the Brewers will likely have a further update later in the weekend.

Garcia (undisclosed) was carted off the field in Saturday's exhibition game against the White Sox, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

This is an extremely unfortunate occurrence for Garcia, who was involved in a home plate collision in the final inning of the Brewers' spring training schedule. He collided with Chicago's Nick Delmonico while trying to field the throw home and bent backwards awkwardly and remained on the ground for several minutes before being transported onto a cart. The Brewers figure to have a statement on the severity of Garcia's injury later in the weekend.

Sanchez had his contract purchased by the Padres on Saturday, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Sanchez, a non-roster invitee, earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after going 10-for-40 (.250) with three homers and seven RBI through 22 spring games. The 27-year-old will likely back up Austin Hedges.

Bethancourt has made the Padres' Opening Day roster as a reliever, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Bethancourt has been experimenting as a pitcher-catcher hybrid this spring, a move that's worked surprisingly well. The 25-year-old has allowed just two earned runs over 8.1 innings while also garnering three strikeouts. With Austin Hedges and Hector Sanchez ahead of him on the catching depth chart, it appears the team is going ahead with a full switch to becoming a pitcher. Expect Bethancourt to be used in low-leverage situations as he adjusts to his new role.