MLB Player News

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a walk in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Reds.

Contreras helped keep the game close with his fourth-inning RBI single and eighth-inning solo homer, both of which trimmed Cincinnati's lead to one. Chicago then rallied for four runs in the ninth for its 103rd win of the year. Contreras played a key role in his team's success this year, slashing .282/.357/.488 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI in 283 plate appearances. The 24-year-old rookie excelled after his call-up in mid-June and should be locked in as the Cubs' starting backstop next year.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Sunday's season finale against the Nationals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Realmuto will rest for a second straight day as the Marlins' season comes to a close. Barring a pinch-hit appearance, he will finish the season having posted a .300/.343/.428 batting line with 11 home runs and 12 stolen bases, both career highs, while Tomas Telis will step in behind the plate.

Maldonado will yield Sunday's season-finale start behind the plate to Andrew Susac.

Susac will bat seventh for the Brewers, while Maldonado will finish the season having gathered just a .202/.332/.351 batting line with eight home runs over 76 games. It's unlikely he fits the mold of a starting catcher for the Brewers moving forward, and it wouldn't be surprising if he returns to a backup role in 2017.

Bethancourt (intercostals) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Jack Magruder of FanRag Sports reports.

Manager Andy Green is reportedly "intrigued" by Bethancourt's ability on the pitching mound, having seen him throw 96 mph without any work on his mechanics. A catcher by trade, Bethancourt's arm strength is unquestionably his strongest asset. He has hit just .223/.253/.318 in 153 games at the major league level, but it doesn't sound like the Padres are planning to have him focus exclusively on pitching -- they may instead try to develop him into a catcher/outfielder/pitcher hybrid player.

Realmuto is not in Saturday's lineup against the Nationals, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

Given how weak the catcher position is, Realmuto will easily finish the year as a top-10 option at the position. His .303 batting average was aided somewhat by a .357 BABIP (career .323 BABIP), but the 11 homers and 12 steals seem like reasonable benchmarks moving forward, as he won't turn 26 until March 18. Jeff Mathis will start behind the dish and hit eighth.

Rupp went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Mets.

The 28-year-old backstop drove in the Phillies' only run of the night with a second-inning sacrifice fly that opened the scoring for both teams. Rupp has been swinging a hot bat over his last six games, with three multihit outings, a .320 average and five RBI over that span.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

Grandal will come off the bench for the second straight day with the Dodgers facing another left-hander. Carlos Ruiz will receive another start behind the plate Friday night.

Grandal is not listed in Thursday's starting lineup against the Padres, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

Carlos Ruiz is suiting up in his place as the talented young catcher is likely just receiving a break before the weekend series. Look for him again Friday.

Hedges is not in the starting lineup Thursday against the Dodgers.

The 24-year-old was called up last Wednesday and had started five of the six games for which he's been with the club. Tonight, he'll give way to Derek Norris, who's hitting sixth. Known primarily as a defense-first prospect before this year, Hedges enjoyed a smashing season at Triple-A El Paso (.326/.353/.597, with 21 home runs in 334 plate appearances). Catchers often take a bit longer to grow into their hitting tools as they progress through a system, and even during their big-league career. He can contribute some last-ditch counting stats if you're struggling at the end of this season. Hedges also now boasts an intriguing package that could vault him into the Pads' starting backstop role -- and starting consideration in two-catcher fantasy leagues -- out of the gate next season.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

Jeff Mathis will take over behind the plate as Realmuto sits for the first time since Sept. 18. Realmuto's contact rate has dipped this year and that dip has not come with much of an uptick in power, but the 25-year-old has routinely found holes (.360 BABIP) and he runs more than any other player at the position. He's done enough across the board to be a top-5 catcher in terms of earned fantasy value this season.