MLB Player News
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Willson Contreras 1B | BOS
Cubs' Willson Contreras: Goes deep in loss
Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two runs in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Pirates.
Contreras opened the scoring in the contest, taking the Pirates starter Zach Thompson deep for a solo shot in the top of the first inning. He later ripped a ground-rule double off Thompson, narrowly missing an opportunity to leg out a three-bagger. The multi-hit effort was Contreras' first of the season as he added his first couple extra-base knocks of the 2022 campaign as well. Contreras continues to represent an elite fantasy option at the shallow catcher position.
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Curt Casali C | ATL
Giants' Curt Casali: Draws start in series finale
Casali will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Padres, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
With top catcher Joey Bart moving over to designated hitter for the series finale, Casali will pick up his second start of the season. He'll likely continue to play once or twice a week while Bart is healthy and effective at the dish.
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Andrew Knizner C | BOS
Cardinals' Andrew Knizner: Slugs homer in win
Knizner went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Royals.
The backup catcher was initially expected to start Monday versus the Pirates before that game was rained out. Knizner still got his start Tuesday and made good use of it, as his three-run blast in the fourth inning gave the Cardinals just enough runs to get the win. The 27-year-old is expected to play more frequently than in past seasons to give Yadier Molina rest, so it's encouraging to see Knizner make an impact when given a start as he looks to cement his place as the Cardinals' catcher of the future.
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Austin Nola C | COL
Padres' Austin Nola: Takes seat Wednesday
Nola isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Giants.
Nola started in each of the last four games, and he went 4-for-15 with a homer, four RBI, two runs, a walk and three strikeouts. Jorge Alfaro will start behind the dish and bat eighth Wednesday.
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Riley Adams C | WAS
Nationals' Riley Adams: Receives second start of season
Adams will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday in Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
He'll enter the lineup for the second time in seven games this season while top backstop Keibert Ruiz rests on getaway day. The Nationals gave Adams some exposure to first base in spring training to present him with another potential avenue to playing time, but the 25-year-old is still expected to see the overwhelming majority of his work behind the plate on days when Ruiz is sitting out.
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Keibert Ruiz C | WAS
Nationals' Keibert Ruiz: Getting breather Wednesday
Ruiz is not in Wednesday's lineup against Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Ruiz will get Wednesday off after starting the last two games behind the plate, going 2-for-9 with a double and two runs over those contests. Riley Adams will start at catcher and bat eighth as the Nationals try to to take the rubber match.
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James McCann C | ARI
Mets' James McCann: Day off Wednesday
McCann is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Phillies, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The catcher will get a breather Wednesday after starting the last two contests, failing to produce a hit in either while scoring a run and stealing a base. Tomas Nido will get the start behind the plate and will bat ninth in the series finale.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Braves' Travis d'Arnaud: Gets breather Wednesday
D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.
D'Arnaud will sit for the third time in five games, though it's largely a byproduct of Atlanta's early schedule including several contests with early start times. Manny Pina will be behind the plate for Wednesday's series finale, but d'Arnaud still looks like the clear No. 1 catcher for Atlanta. D'Arnaud turned in his best game of the season in Tuesday's 16-4 win, going 3-for-5 with three runs.