MLB Player News

Caratini went 3-for-3 with two walks, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Saturday's 14-8 win over the Brewers.

The Cubs' No. 2 catcher hasn't seen a lot of work so far, but he's taken full advantage of his opportunities, slashing .600/.692/1.000 through four games with Saturday's homer being his first of the year. Should Willson Contreras slump again or get hurt, Caratini's fantasy stock could skyrocket.

Jackson will be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Brian McCann (hamstring) will be placed on the injured list Sunday and Tyler Flowers (hand) was hit by a pitch Saturday as Atlanta's catching depth took a major blow. Jackson could see plenty of action over the next few days if Flowers misses any time.

Contreras is not starting Saturday against the Brewers.

Contreras has been a rare bright spot in a disappointing Cubs season thus far, hitting .389 with two homers in six games. Victor Caratini takes his spot behind the plate.

Realmuto is not starting Saturday against the Twins.

The catcher will be the first Phillies regular to take a seat this season. He's gone just 4-for-21 at the plate, but it's still far too early to have any significant concerns. Andrew Knapp will make his first start of the year in his place.

Barnhart will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Barnhart sits for just the second time this season. Curt Casali will take over behind the plate.

Grandal went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 13-10 win over the Cubs.

He took Jose Quintana deep in the third inning for his first homer of the season, one of five by Milwaukee hitters on the night. Grandal has started six of eight games so far, and a large workload in a potent Brewers offense should lead to big power numbers for the 30-year-old backstop.

Contreras went 1-for-1 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 13-10 loss to the Brewers.

He was also hit by a pitch. After hitting only 10 homers in 138 games last season, Contreras is off to a quick start in that department in 2019, going yard twice in six starts.

Mejia is catching and hitting eighth for San Diego against the Cardinals on Friday.

Mejia will slot in for Austin Hedges against St. Louis, the third start of the year for the 23-year-old backstop. He went 2-for-4 in his last start on Tuesday and is 3-for-9 with a double and an RBI to start the season.

Barnes is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barnes will yield catching duties to Russell Martin once again as the pair has split playing time fairly evenly so far this year. Barnes is off to a strong start in 2019 as he is 6-for-15 with one double and two home runs.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Hedges has started five of seven games behind the plate entering Friday and is 4-for-13 with two walks and one RBI. Francisco Mejia receives the starting nod Friday for the Padres in his absence.