MLB Player News

Casali went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three total runs and four total RBI in Monday's 7-6 victory versus Colorado.

Batting out of the No. 9 spot in the order, Casali drove in each of the Giants' first four runs with a solo homer in the third inning and a three-run shot in the fifth. This was Casali's third career multi-homer game and his first since 2015. The backup catcher has been red hot over his past four contests, going 7-for-10 with three homers, eight RBI, four runs and three walks.

Gomes went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Monday's win over the Pirates.

Gomes had two hits and a home run Saturday, didn't start Sunday, then returned to the lineup with three more hits Monday. He's not going to supplant Willson Contreras as the team's top catcher anytime soon, but as was the case Monday, both players can be in the lineup at the same time, with one of them getting the DH role. Gomes caught Monday with Contreras as the DH. If this arrangement becomes more permanent, Gomes should see his fantasy value increase, as he'll be playing a bit more regularly than a typical backup catcher.

Contreras went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in Monday's win over the Pirates.

Batting first for the Cubs, Contreras started the game with a double before later popping a grand slam in the same inning, and Chicago didn't look back in the 9-0 romp. It was just the 10th time since 1901 that a leadoff hitter recorded a grand slam in the first inning, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The home run, which also happened to be the 100th of Contreras' career, was his fifth of the season and third in his past nine games, so he seems to be finding his power stroke. The catcher also has a strong .283 average and .906 OPS, and he should remain one of the top options at his position so long as he stays healthy.

Bart isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against Colorado, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

San Francisco will give Curt Casali a chance behind the dish in this one after Bart caught the last two games of the weekend series against the Cardinals. He's collected a hit in each of his last three games but is off to a rough start at the dish in May, going 3-for-23 with a homer, two RBI and four runs scored over his first nine games.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Milwaukee.

Contreras will hit the bench after he went a collective 2-for-10 with a solo home run, a walk and two additional runs over Atlanta's last three games while starting at either catcher or designated hitter. According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Ronald Acuna (groin) remains out of the lineup Monday but is expected to return to action Tuesday, so Contreras' opportunities to handle DH duties will likely take a significant hit soon.

Heineman was claimed off outright waivers by the Pirates on Monday.

Heineman was sent down by the Blue Jays on Saturday, and he'll be claimed by the Pirates several days later. The 30-year-old appeared in 10 major-league games early in the year and went 4-for-15 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI. Since Andrew Knapp was designated for assignment Monday, Heineman will likely join the big-league club as catching depth.

Bart went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 15-6 loss to the Cardinals.

Bart has hit safely in his last three games, and he hasn't struck out in his last two, the first time all season he's gone consecutive games without a strikeout. The catcher appears to be turning things around after starting May in an 0-for-15 skid. For the season, he's still slashing a shaky .185/.338/.385 with four homers, seven RBI, 11 runs scored and a 42.5 percent strikeout rate in 22 contests.

Knizner went 1-for-1 with a hit-by-pitch and three RBI in Sunday's 15-6 win over the Giants.

Knizner hit a two-run single in the sixth inning when he pinch hit for Yadier Molina, then got plunked with the bases loaded in the seventh. Over his last three games, Knizner is 3-for-6, a vast improvement after he started May just 2-for-16 in his first six contests. Overall, the catcher is slashing a reasonable .245/.362/.367 with a home run, nine RBI, three runs scored and three doubles in 58 plate appearances.

Realmuto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto started the first three games in Los Angeles and will receive a breather for the series finale after going 2-for-13 with a triple, a walk and a run scored. Garrett Stubbs will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Stephenson (head) cleared concussion testing and is available off the bench Sunday against the Pirates, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson has already suffered one concussion this season and three for his career, so it's good news he's cleared the testing protocols after taking a foul ball off his mask Saturday. He's out of the lineup Sunday and will also have the Reds' scheduled day off Monday to rest up for the upcoming three-game set with the Guardians, which begins Tuesday. Aramis Garcia is starting behind the plate Sunday and batting seventh.