MLB Player News

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting sixth in Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

The Cubs are giving regular catcher Willson Contreras a breather after he started the last five games. Caratini enters the contest with a respectable .271/.352/.457 slash line in 221 at-bats this season.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras will take a seat after starting five straight games, with Victor Caratini starting at catcher and batting sixth in his place. With the Cubs battling for a playoff spot over their final eight games, expect them to ride Contreras fairly hard the rest of the way.

Mejia isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Mejia will take a seat following a scheduled off day Thursday. Luis Torrens is set to handle the catching duties and bat eighth.

Realmuto was held out of Friday's lineup in order to rest, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

The Phillies will attempt to keep pace in the playoff race Friday night without their starting catcher playing a full nine innings, but manager Gabe Kapler said it was simply time for Realmuto to take a break after starting the last nine games. Realmuto figures to play plenty the rest of the way, but he could get another day or two off with the Phillies playing 10 games in nine days following Friday's contest.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Indians.

Realmuto's absence raises an eyebrow, as he owns an .884 OPS in September and the Phillies have a DH spot available while playing in an AL park. Realmuto has started all but two games this month, so it's possible he is simply getting a day off. Regardless, Andrew Knapp will handle the catching duties for the Phillies on Friday night.

Stallings (back) returns to the lineup Friday against Milwaukee.

Back tightness had kept Stallings off the field since last Friday. He'll bat seventh and start behind the plate Friday, catching Steven Brault.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a walk, double, RBI and two runs scored Thursday against the Mariners.

Diaz enjoyed a productive day at the dish, first doubling in Colin Moran in the second inning. He later came around to score in the same frame before crossing the plate again two innings later. Despite the departure of Francisco Cervelli (finger), Diaz has endured a disappointing season by hitting .243/.298/.309 across 330 plate appearances.

Caratini will not start at first base Thursday against the Cardinals as originally anticipated.

Caratini was slated to start at first base, but Anthony Rizzo will make a surprising return to action, and he will get the nod at the position instead.

Mejia is not in Thursday's lineup against the Brewers.

He returned to action Wednesday after missing almost three weeks with an oblique injury and went 2-for-4 with a strikeout. Austin Hedges will catch and hit eighth.

Grandal is not in Thursday's lineup against the Padres.

Grandal has been really grinding for Milwaukee, as this represents his first day out of the lineup since Aug. 18. He is hitting .219/.390/.490 with seven home runs, 27 walks and 32 strikeouts in 28 games over that span. Manny Pina will start behind the dish and hit seventh. It would not be surprising if Grandal were in the lineup for each of the final nine games of the season.