MLB Player News

Contreras is not in the lineup Sunday against the Reds.

Contreras drove in the Cubs' only run Saturday night, but he'll get a day off for the second time in the series. Victor Caratini will fill in for him at catcher for the series finale.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Reds.

Contreras had half of his team's hits, and his second knock of the day was huge, as he drove in Javier Baez in the bottom of the sixth inning for the only run off the game. It was a bright spot in what's been a down season for the 26-year-old catcher, as he's now tallied nine home runs and 51 RBI in 127 games after posting 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 117 games a year ago.

Hedges is not in the lineup Friday against the Rangers.

Since Francisco Mejia became part of the mix at catcher in early September, he's made four starts behind the plate compared to three for Hedges, with each of them also appearing once at designated hitter. Mejia will get the start Friday, but the playing time split looks to be relatively even going forward.

Contreras isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Cincinnati.

Contreras will take a seat for the second straight day, with Victor Caratini slated to take over behind the dish and bat sixth. Contreras has gone 2-for-10 with a double and an RBI over his previous five games.

Barnhart is not in the lineup against the Cubs on Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Barnhart will retreat to the bench for a standard day off after going 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers. Curt Casali will handle the catching duties and hit seventh in the order.

Plawecki is out of the lineup against the Red Sox on Friday.

Plawecki will receive a breather after starting the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus Miami. In his place, Tomas Nido will catch Noah Syndergaard and bat ninth in the order.

Nido went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader victory over the Marlins.

Nido's homer was the first of his career in the major leagues, as he sparked the Mets' offense in the fifth inning with the solo shot. He now has at least one hit in five of his last six starts, and he owns a .188 batting average with nine runs and eight RBI over 73 plate appearances in 2018.

Plawecki is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Plawecki will take a seat for the second half of Thursday's doubleheader after catching all nine innings in the first game, going 0-for-1 with a pair of walks and a run scored in the 4-3 win. In his absence, Tomas Nido will set up behind the dish and hit eighth.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mets, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

Realmuto will retreat to the bench for Game 2 of Thursday's twin bill after catching all nine innings during the first game, going 0-for-2 with a pair of walks in the process. Chad Wallach will set up behind the dish and hit eighth in his place.

Grandal is not in the lineup against the Cardinals on Thursday.

Manager Dave Roberts will deploy eight right-handed-hitting position players for Thursday's series opener versus southpaw Austin Gomber. Austin Barnes will handle the catching duties and bat eighth.