MLB Player News

Sanchez homered and knocked in two in a 3-for-4 game Monday against the Giants.

Sanchez is hitting a cool .333/.364/.619 since returning to the majors August 31. Given Monday's news that catcher Christian Bethancourt is unlikely to return this season and Sanchez's hot hitting ways, look for the 26-year-old to get plenty of at-bats in San Diego down the stretch.

Bethancourt (intercostal) is likely to miss the remainder of the season, A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Bethancourt has been on the disabled list with an intercostal strain since August 31, a core injury that is notorious for long rehab times. Considering the Padres are well outside the playoff picture, they'll play it safe and let Bethancourt heal over the offseason. If he is indeed done, he'll finish with a .228/.265/.368 batting line -- certainly poor, but he'll finish with an OPS above .600 for the first time in three seasons.

Contreras is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros.

After starting two of the last three games for the Cubs, Contreras will take a seat in favor of David Ross behind the plate. The rookie has been held without a hit in his last three starts but has a respectable .798 OPS since Aug. 1.

Rupp is not in the lineup Sunday against the Nationals.

Rupp, who went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday, will head to the bench for Sunday's contest, a day game following a night game. A.J. Ellis will get the nod to start at catcher while Rupp gets the day off.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Braves.

Rene Rivera will start behind the dish while d'Arnaud gets the day off. D'Arnaud has had a tough time at the plate recently, as he's gone 7-for-31 (.226) over the last 14 games, bringing his batting average down to .249 for the year.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Saturday against the Dodgers, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

One of the more heavily used catchers in the game, Realmuto has started 11 of the last 12 games for Miami. Jeff Mathis will get the start at catcher and hit seventh Saturday against lefty Rich Hill.

Rupp went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in a 5-4 loss to the Nationals on Friday.

The homer was Rupp's 15th of the season. He has been slumping a bit since the beginning of August with a .229 batting average, but he does have five home runs in those 22 games.

Realmuto went 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk and two runs scored in a win over the Dodgers Friday.

Realmuto welcomed Clayton Kershaw back to the mound with a solo home run in the first inning, and he walked and scored in the fifth to provide an insurance run. He has emerged as one of the better fantasy catcher options, slashing .313/.353/.441 on the season with 56 runs, 41 RBI and 11 steals.

Maldonado is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Despite the big night Thursday, Maldonado will get another night off. Manny Pina will assume catching duties in his place.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Friday's matchup with the Astros.

Contreras will head to the bench in favor of David Ross, Jon Lester's personal catcher. Manager Joe Maddon seems to be content rotating time between Contreras, Ross, and Miguel Montego, so it's unclear how soon Contreras will slot back into the lineup during their current interleague series.