MLB Player News
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James McCann C | ARI
Mets' James McCann: On bench Sunday
McCann is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Washington, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
McCann is 1-for-6 with a run and an RBI to begin the season and will take a seat Sunday for the second time in the opening four-game set against the Nationals. Tomas Nido will receive another start behind the plate for the Mets.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Phillies' J.T. Realmuto: Sitting series finale
Realmuto is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the A's, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Realmuto started behind the plate the first two games of the season and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. The 31-year-old will rest in Sunday's series finale while Garrett Stubbs forms the battery with Zach Eflin in his place.
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Willson Contreras C | BOS
Cubs' Willson Contreras: Reaches three times in win
Contreras went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in a 9-0 win Saturday over the Brewers.
Contreras walked and scored in the first and singled and scored in the sixth. The two-time All-Star was plunked on a 3-0 pitch by Brandon Woodruff in the fourth, the second consecutive game he's been hit by a Milwaukee pitcher. Barring a surprise extension, the 30-year-old is expected to reach free agency for the first time following the season. Since making his debut in 2016, Contreras has been one of the best catchers in baseball and he will likely receive a healthy payday if he puts up numbers similar to his career .806 OPS this year.
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Austin Barnes C | NYM
Dodgers' Austin Barnes: Homers in season debut
Barnes went 2-for-3 with a home run in Saturday's loss against the Rockies.
The backstop made his season debut Saturday and took German Marquez deep in the top of the third inning. He was the only player to record multiple hits for the Dodgers in this game, but he's not expected to become the regular catcher for the Dodgers.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Nothing behind scratch from lineup
The Dodgers said there was nothing to Smith's scratch from Saturday's lineup and instead there was simply a mistake with the first lineup released, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief, as it seems like the Dodgers just wanted to get Austin Barnes involved to keep him sharp. We should expect Smith back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale in Colorado.
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Keibert Ruiz C | WAS
Nationals' Keibert Ruiz: Day off Saturday
Ruiz isn't starting Saturday's game against the Mets, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Ruiz served as a starter in each of the first two games of the season and went 4-for-8 with a double. However, Riley Adams will start behind the dish and bat eighth Saturday.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Scratched from lineup
Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies for undisclosed reasons.
It's unclear if Smith is dealing with an injury or illness or if the Dodgers have simply decided to lighten his workload following an abbreviated spring training. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate and would step into a starting role if Smith needs to miss time.
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Elias Diaz C | KC
Rockies' Elias Diaz: Not in Saturday's lineup
Diaz will sit Saturday against the Dodgers.
Diaz went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's season opener. He'll get a rest day already in the second game of the year, with the Rockies seemingly wanting to ease him into the season following an abbreviated spring schedule. Dom Nunez takes over behind the plate.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Braves' Travis d'Arnaud: Sitting Saturday
D'Arnaud will get the day off Saturday against the Reds, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Teams around the league are giving players a few more days off than normal following the condensed spring schedule, especially at the catcher position. D'Arnaud will sit after going 2-for-8 with three RBI in the first two games of the year, with William Contreras taking over behind the plate.
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Resting Saturday
Stephenson will hit the bench Saturday against Atlanta.
Stephenson has a clear role as the Reds' primary catcher this season with Tucker Barnhart now a Tiger, but, like any catcher, he'll get a fair amount of days off. He'll hit the bench after going 2-for-6 with three RBI in the first two games of the year, with Aramis Garcia taking over behind the plate.