MLB Player News

Casali is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Colorado, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Casali is on fire through the first two games in Denver and went 4-for-8 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBI. Saturday's game didn't finish up until the early hours of Sunday morning due to a three-hour rain delay, so it's no surprise to see the veteran backstop receive the day off. Kyle Farmer will start behind the plate and bat eighth for the Reds.

Contreras is out of Sunday's lineup versus the Pirates with a sore right foot, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Contreras made a late exit from Saturday's contest due to the issue and will remain on the bench for the series finale as a result. The 27-year-old should be considered day-to-day as the injury is believed to be minor. Victor Caratini will catch for the Cubs in the meantime.

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting fifth in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

No. 1 catcher Willson Contreras will receive a breather in the series finale as he nurses a sore foot, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, setting up Caratini for his second start of the weekend. The 25-year-old is blocked at several positions for regular playing time, but he's produced when he's been in the lineup, as he has a .289/.379/.500 slash line through 36 games.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Contreras was out of the lineup for Friday's contest and will return to the bench for the series finale after going 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, two runs scored and a walk Saturday. Victor Caratini will start behind the dish for the Cubs in the series finale.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Gomes went 0-for-2 with a walk Saturday but will take a seat for the second time in three games coming out of the All-Star break. Kurt Suzuki will start behind the plate in his place.

Casali went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Saturday's 17-9 win over the Rockies.

Casali has enjoyed life at altitude through the first two games of the series in Colorado, notching a two-hit performance in both contests. He could get a breather Sunday as the Reds and Rockies wrap up the series with a day game, but Casali remains locked in as the Reds' No. 1 catcher with Tucker Barnhart (oblique) not believed to be close to returning from the 10-day injured list.

Mejia went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Braves.

Mejia's third homer of the season came in the fifth inning against starter Julio Teheran, tying the game at two. The catcher is hitting .212/.259/.356 this season, adding only eight RBI and 10 runs scored over 35 games.

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer, two runs and a walk during a 10-4 victory over the Pirates on Saturday.

The catcher smashed his home run in the first, and the Cubs were off and running. Chicago scored seven runs in the first inning, turning this one into a blowout early. Contreras is slashing .286/.382/.565 with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, 43 runs and one steal in 306 plate appearances this season.

Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against San Francisco.

Grandal is hitting just .176 over his last 24 games, though he's walked enough and shown enough power to have a respectable .749 OPS over that stretch. Manny Pina will take over behind the plate Saturday.

Realmuto was reinstated from the paternity list Saturday.

Realmuto wound up missing just a single game to start the second half. He finished the first half with a solid .273/.328/.438 slash line, slightly behind his numbers from the last two seasons despite a big upgrade in his home park. Rob Brantly was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.