MLB Player News

Contreras went 2-for-4 with two home runs in Saturday's win over the Braves.

Contreras took Huascar Ynoa deep twice, launching a solo shot in the first inning and adding another solo bomb in the third. The star backstop has six homers on the year and has been one of the few bright spots in the Cubs lineup this season, hitting safely in seven games in a row while posting a .282 average through his first 13 contests.

McCann is not in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

McCann unsurprisingly won't be asked to start twice in one day. He went 1-for-3 at the plate in the afternoon contest. Tomas Nido will catch Joey Lucchesi in the nightcap.

Smith is not starting Saturday's game against San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Dodgers indicated prior to the start of the season that Smith could be given a lighter workload than most starting catchers, though the team has used a fairly standard split thus far. Smith has started nine games behind the plate, while Austin Barnes, who starts Saturday, has gotten the call six times.

Realmuto went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a strikeout in Friday's win over the Cardinals.

Realmuto had gone just 2-for-12 with a double and four strikeouts in his last five games, but he provided some insurance Friday with his second home run of the season. The 30-year-old has posted a .961 OPS with two home runs, eight RBI and one stolen base in his first 13 games of the year.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout in Friday's loss to Atlanta.

Contreras was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat Friday, but he responded with his third home run of the year in the fifth inning. The 28-year-old is now slashing .257/.413/.514 with seven runs and four RBI to begin the season.

Nola (finger) has taken a "significant step" in his recovery and is close to playing in games at the Padres' alternate training site, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nola's return to action hasn't been as smooth as initially hoped, and the backstop has already exceeded the minimum stay on the 10-day injured list. "He's been having a good day, then having a bad day, continue that road," explained manager Jayce Tingler. "[Friday] was one of the better days he's had, where the swelling in that finger has been staying down...Obviously, we've still got a ways to go, but certainly happy to hear that some of the swelling has not popped up." Tingler indicated that Nola is getting closer to taking part in games at the team's alternate site but did not provide a date or timeframe for when that may occur.

Caratini isn't starting Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Caratini will retreat to the bench for a second straight contest after he went 1-for-11 with a double and one RBI in his last four games. Luis Campusano will start behind the dish Friday, batting eighth.

Gomes is not in the lineup Friday against Arizona.

Gomes hits the bench after starting behind the plate in two straight games. Alex Avila will get the nod in his absence.

Barnhart will remain on the bench for Friday's game against Cleveland.

Barnhart sits for back-to-back games for the first time this season. He's now been in the lineup for eight of the Reds' first 13 games, with Tyler Stephenson, who starts Friday, getting the nod five times.

McCann is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies.

McCann is coming off his best game of the year, as he went 3-for-5 with a homer Wednesday night, but he'll take a seat for Thursday's matinee. Tomas Nido will catch Jacob deGrom in his absence.