MLB Player News

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, an RBI single and two total runs scored in Friday's win over Philadelphia.

Contreras launched a solo shot in the fourth inning, then sent Austin Riley home on a single in the eighth. The homer was Contreras' 18th of the year and his first since Aug. 24. In six games this month, the catcher has gone 7-for-19 (.368), including five total hits in his last two games. Contreras is now slashing .279/.349/.521 on the season.

Nola went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two total RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 12-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Nola popped a solo shot in the second inning and added a sacrifice fly as the Padres poured on more offense in the eighth. The catcher has gone 6-for-17 (.353) over his last six games. The short but productive stretch has raised his season slash line to .248/.321/.325 with four homers, 36 RBI, 37 runs scored, two stolen bases and 12 doubles through 98 contests.

Stallings isn't starting Friday against Washington, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins seem content to alternate Stallings and Nick Fortes, as they have taken turns starting behind the dish over the last 10 games, although Fortes has also seen additional work at DH. This pattern will likely continue until the end of the season, with Fortes getting the nod at catcher Friday and batting fourth.

Delay isn't in the lineup Friday against the Mets, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Delay hasn't recorded a hit since Sunday and will sit out Friday's game in favor of Tyler Heineman, who will bat ninth.

McCann will sit Friday against the Pirates.

McCann remains atop the Mets' depth chart at catcher, but he and Friday's starter Tomas Nido have generally alternated turns behind the plate in recent weeks. McCann's .549 OPS on the season gives him minimal fantasy value even if he found himself in the lineup more consistently.

Rodriguez has slashed .357/.438/.696 with eight home runs, 14 doubles and 32 RBI through 29 games since his promotion to Double-A Altoona.

After crushing the ball to the tune of a .936 OPS in High-A, Rodriguez is sitting on a 1.134 mark at the higher level -- and, just as impressively, he's actually clipped his strikeout rate and raised his walk rate since the promotion. As a switch-hitting catcher who's flashing high-end contact ability and power as well as strong defensive ability, he's quickly grown into a must-roster prospect in dynasty formats. It's also possible the Pirates will move him off catcher, as he's seen significant time at second base and in left field and looked good at both positions. His bat will play anywhere.

Contreras (ankle) recently began doing light agility work in his running progression, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Contreras has been on the injured list with a left ankle sprain since Sept. 6 and will spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the shelf. While the catcher seems to be trending in the right direction, manager David Ross said Friday that Contreras is still progressing relatively slowly and is likely about a week away from returning, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Diaz isn't in the lineup Friday against the Cubs.

Diaz has gone 7-for-16 with two home runs, a double, eight RBI and four runs over his last four games but will head to the bench for the third time in the last four matchups. Brian Serven is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's loss to Arizona.

A number of the Dodgers' regular starters sat out the contest, but Smith started at DH and slotted into the No. 3 spot in the order. He boomed a 465-foot solo homer in the fourth inning for Los Angeles' first run, and Trayce Thompson followed with his own long ball to tie the score. Smith is up to 22 homers and a career-high 85 RBI through 513 plate appearances this season. He trails Cal Raleigh by one homer for the lead in that category among big-league backstops.

Nido went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-3 loss against the Cubs.

Nido homered off lefty starter Drew Smyly for the Mets' first hit of the game with one out in the third inning. The catcher has recorded an extra-base hit in four straight games and a home run in two straight. In addition, the 28-year-old has tallied six RBI over 21 at-bats in his last seven contests.