MLB Player News

Realmuto was forced to exit Tuesday's matchup with the Cardinals early with a throat injury, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Realmuto took an errant slider from Zack Wheeler off the throat after it took an odd bounce off the dirt in the bottom of the seventh inning, bringing his night to a premature end. Garrett Stubbs replaced him behind the plate and the catcher's status will likely be updated following the contest.

Ruiz is out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Giants, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz will get a breather after he went 0-for-3 with two walks, a run scored and two punchouts in Monday's 8-1 win over the Giants. Riley Adams will replace him behind the plate and bat sixth as Washington faces left-hander Kyle Harrison on the mound Tuesday.

Sullivan was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

Before being optioned to Triple-A after losing the battle for a backup catcher spot to Kyle Higashioka, Sullivan logged seven hits in 25 spring training at-bats. The catcher has gotten off to a great start in Triple-A this year, slashing .472/.500/.722 in 38 plate appearances. In a corresponding move, Graham Pauley was optioned to Triple-A El Paso.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is 1-for-13 with five strikeouts and a walk over his past four games, and he'll take a seat for Tuesday's contest. Omar Narvaez will step in behind the plate to catch for right-hander Adrian Houser.

Contreras (hand) will serve as the Cardinals' designated hitter and No. 3 batter Tuesday versus the Phillies.

Contreras still isn't able to squeeze his catcher's mitt due to lingering soreness in his left hand and admits that "it does bother me to swing a little bit," per John Denton of MLB.com. However, he's feeling well enough to DH in this one and is hoping to be ready to catch by this weekend. Ivan Herrera is getting another start behind the plate Tuesday.

Stubbs went 1-for-4 with one run and one stolen base in Monday's win against the Cardinals.

Playing in a mere two games since Opening Day, the 30-year-old has gone 2-for-7 with a run and a stolen base. Currently locked in as No. 2 catcher behind J.T. Realmuto, Stubbs' position could be reevaluated when Rafael Marchan returns from his back injury.

Delay (knee) remains shut down from all baseball activities, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Delay has been out for the last week with right knee inflammation and appears to have made little-to-no progress. He's eligible for activation in mid-April, but clearly the catcher will not be ready at that time.

Rodriguez (elbow) will begin a swinging progression from the left side next week, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

It's the next step in recovery as Rodriguez continues to work his way back from offseason Tommy John surgery. He'll be sidelined until 2025.

Grandal (foot) will begin baserunning drills in the coming days, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Grandal has been participating in simulated games as he works his way back from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He wouldn't appear too far off from a rehab assignment if baserunning goes well, setting up the veteran catcher to potentially return before the end of April.

Herrera went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two total runs scored in Monday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Phillies.

Herrera has gotten an extended run of playing time while Willson Contreras (hand) remains out of the lineup. Over his last five contests, Herrera has gone 7-for-20 with two homers and four RBI. The 23-year-old gives the Cardinals another option for the designated hitter spot when the team is at full health, and he may force his way into the lineup even Contreras is healthy if he continues to hit well.