MLB Player News

Contreras went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored and two RBI in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Rangers.

The catcher collected his first hits and RBI of the year in a losing cause. Contreras is coming off a disappointing 2018, losing 11 homers and over 100 points off his slugging percentage compared to 2017, but at 26 there's little reason to think he won't be able to rebound.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a two-run homer in Philadelphia's win over the Braves on Saturday.

Realmuto plated the Phillies' first run with a single before adding his first homer of the season in the fifth inning to break a 4-4 tie. The 28-year old also attempted to steal second base but was thrown out in the second inning.

D'Arnaud (elbow) caught nine innings during an exhibition game Saturday for the first time this spring, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

D'Arnaud had made appearances behind the plate throughout spring training but catching an exhibition game in full is a big step towards his return from the injured list. The 30-year-old is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery but appears to be nearing a return to regular-season action. Tomas Nido will continue to back up Wilson Ramos in his absence.

Hedges will sit Saturday against San Francisco.

Hedges so far seems to be firmly ahead of Francisco Mejia in the battle for playing time behind the plate in San Diego, as he got the call in the team's first two games. Mejia will enter the lineup in his place Saturday, batting eighth.

Realmuto will start at catcher and hit fifth in Saturday's game against the Braves.

Realmuto turned in a quiet Phillies debut in the season opener Thursday, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. The muted performance won't change Realmuto's outlook as a clear top-tier fantasy catcher, especially if manager Gabe Kapler commits to him as the club's No. 5 hitter. If health prevails, Realmuto should be able to cruise past last year's career-best total of 74 RBI while slotting behind a quartet of star hitters (Andrew McCutchen, Jean Segura, Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins) in the batting order.

Gomes is out of the lineup Saturday against the Mets.

Gomes sits atop the depth chart at catcher and started Opening Day, but it's likely the Nationals will deploy something close to a 50/50 timeshare behind the plate with Gomes and Kurt Suzuki, who gets the nod Saturday. The arrangement hurts the overall fantasy viability of the two backstops, though both should warrant ownership in leagues that start two catchers each week.

Barnes isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Arizona, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barnes collected three hits including a home run in Thursday's season opener, but he'll head to the bench Friday. Russell Martin will draw the start behind the dish in his absence.

Barnes went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in the Dodgers' 12-5 win over the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Barnes carried his hot hitting from spring training over into Opening Day, touching up Arizona starter Zack Greinke with a fourth-inning solo shot as part of his three-hit day. Barnes had a tough year at the plate last year with a paltry .619 OPS over 200 at-bats, but he's looking locked in thus far in 2019. Pedro Moura of The Athletic reported that manager Dave Roberts said he expects Barnes to get at least 60 percent of the starts behind the dish, with the rest of those starts set to go to veteran Russell Martin.

The Pirates officially placed Diaz (illness) on the 10-day injured list prior to Thursday's game against the Reds.

The transaction was set in motion several weeks ago when the Pirates ruled Diaz out for Opening Day while he remained away from the team to recover from a viral illness. Diaz has since shaken the illness and is expected to participate in simulated games or embark on a minor-league rehab assignment by the end of next week. That could put Diaz on track to return from the IL around mid-April.

Murphy will not be on the Giants' Opening Day roster, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Murphy was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Monday, so there wasn't a significant opportunity to show his worth to the team. The 27-year-old is out of minor-league options, so he'll need to clear waivers before receiving further assignment. Murphy slashed .226/.250/.387 with 44 strikeouts in 96 plate appearances with the Rockies in 2018.