MLB Player News

Contreras is starting at catcher and batting sixth against St. Louis on Tuesday.

Contreras is making his second start in a row behind the dish as Miguel Montero sits for a second straight game. Cubs manager, Joe Maddon, indicated on Monday that Contreras would see the bulk of the catching duties going forward which makes him an interesting name to add in fantasy leagues. The 24-year-old mashed in the minors this season, hitting .353/.442/.592 at Triple-A Iowa.

D'Arnaud (shoulder) was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday.

As expected, d'Arnaud will join the Mets for their game against the Royals on Tuesday. This move sent struggling catcher Kevin Plawecki down to Triple-A Las Vegas. D'Arnaud has been out since April 25 with a strained rotator cuff. Now that he's back, he'll likely resume his role as the Mets' primary backstop. D'Arnaud is in Tuesday's lineup and will bat eighth.

Plawecki was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Plawecki was moved off the 25-man roster in order to make room for Travis d'Arnaud, who was activated off of the disabled list on Tuesday in a corresponding move. While he was with the Mets this season, Plawecki slashed an unimpressive .194/.301/.258 over 124 at-bats. He could get called up again if injuries occur to either d'Arnaud or Rene Rivera.

Stewart is out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest with San Francisco.

Stewart is missing his fourth straight game in favor of Jacob Stallings who's getting his second major league start behind the dish. Stewart's fantasy value has degraded recently as he's batting only .188 since the start of June and now shares time at catcher with Erik Kratz and Stallings.

Contreras is expected to see the majority of starts over Miguel Montero and David Ross in the season ahead, Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports.

Montero will continue catching Jake Arrieta and Ross will continue with Jon Lester, but that leaves three regular starts for Contreras. The rookie went 1-for-4 during his first official start Monday against the Cardinals, although the lowly season averages of Montero (.202) and .Ross (.245) suggest that Contreras will have quite a leash to work with even if he goes through rookie speed bumps.

Contreras will start at catcher on Monday with John Lackey as starter, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Contreras will make his first major league start ever on Monday against the Cardinals. The 24-year-old slashed .350/.439/.591 at the Triple-A level before being recently called up. He got his first big league homer when he pinch hit on Sunday.

Contreras appeared as a pinch-hitter and launched a two-run homer to center field in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

The Cubs' latest promising young prospect was called up Friday, but he waited until Sunday to see his first action at the plate and did not disappoint. Chicago is currently carrying three catchers on the roster, but manager Joe Maddon isn't scared to use players at multiple positions and will likely find a way to get Contreras' bat into the lineup one way or another. He has prior minor league experience at several positions and should make his first start in the field in short order.

Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Brewers, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After starting three straight games behind the plate, Grandal will give way to backup A.J. Ellis for the afternoon contest. Ellis seems likely to draw a start Monday as well, as he typically catches ace Clayton Kershaw.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Following an outstanding 4-for-5, three-RBI performance Saturday, Realmuto will be granted a day off after making three straight starts behind the plate. Jeff Mathis will man the catcher spot and bat seventh in the Marlins lineup.

Realmuto went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer in a 9-6 victory over the Rockies on Saturday.

His three-run bomb gave Miami the lead for good in the fifth. This was the eighth time this season Realmuto had at least three base hits in a game, and second time he had four. He is batting .305 with four homers, 22 RBI and 24 runs in 223 at-bats this season.