MLB Player News
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Willson Contreras 1B | BOS
Cubs' Willson Contreras: Day off Saturday
Contreras is not in the lineup Saturday against the Padres.
Contreras is hitless in his last four games, though he's hit .340 with a .984 OPS in his last 15. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate in his place.
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Austin Hedges C | CLE
Padres' Austin Hedges: Tallies three hits Friday
Hedges went 3-for-5 with an RBI in a loss to the Cubs on Friday.
Hedges has provided an adequate amount of power (two homers) in 14 games since returning from the disabled list, but his .348 batting average (16-for-46) over that span has really been a pleasant surprise for his fantasy owners. The 25-year-old is still striking out 28 percent of the time during his current hot streak (33.6 percent overall), so don't expect his season batting average to improve far past its current .240 mark.
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Yasmani Grandal C | PIT
Dodgers' Yasmani Grandal: Sits out Saturday
Grandal is on the bench for Saturday's game against the Angels.
Grandal continues to sit against most lefties and will do so again with Andrew Heaney on the mound. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate in his place.
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Elias Diaz C | KC
Pirates' Elias Diaz: On bench for game two
Diaz is out of the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Brewers.
As expected, Diaz won't be tasked with catching two games on the same day. Jacob Stallings gets the nod in his place.
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Devin Mesoraco C | NYM
Mets' Devin Mesoraco: Situated on bench Saturday
Mesoraco is out of Saturday's lineup against Washington.
Mesoraco is batting .218 over 133 at-bats against right-handers this season, so he'll take a seat with Austin Voth toeing the rubber. Kevin Plawecki will handle the catching duties and bat sixth in Mesoraco's place.
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Jacob Stallings C | BAL
Pirates' Jacob Stallings: Returns to Pittsburgh
Stallings was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.
Stallings will serve as the backup catcher after Francisco Cervelli (concussion) landed on the 7-day disabled list. Stallings is 1-for-6 with a walk in four games in the big leagues this season.
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Tucker Barnhart C | TEX
Reds' Tucker Barnhart: Takes seat Saturday
Barnhart is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cardinals.
Barnhart is slated for a day off after making six straight starts behind the dish. He's gone 4-for-24 with one double and two RBI over that span. Curt Castillo is set to handle the catching duties with Barnhart on the bench.
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Deivi Grullon C | BOS
Phillies' Deivi Grullon: Wins Eastern League Home Run Derby
Grullon won the Eastern League Home Run Derby on Tuesday, hitting 24 homers to win the title, The Athletic Philadelphia reports.
Long considered a glove-only backup catching prospect, Grullon has finally started to show something with the bat this season, leading all Eastern League catchers with 12 homers. His .287/.316/.520 slash line is quite good, translating to a 126 wRC+ even after accounting for the hitter-friendly home park where he plays for Reading. Many Phillies prospects have shown promise at the plate at Reading only to flounder at higher levels, so Grullon will have to continue to prove himself once he's eventually promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but he's certainly done what he can to raise his profile so far this season.
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Kevin Plawecki C | TEX
Mets' Kevin Plawecki: Goes deep Thursday
Plawecki went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Nationals.
Plawecki took Max Scherzer deep in the seventh inning for his second home run of the season. He has an uninspiring .229/.357/.406 line through 96 at-bats this season, and he continues to lag behind Devin Mesoraco on the Mets' catching depth chart, limiting his fantasy value to the deepest of formats.
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Chad Wallach C | ATH
Marlins' Chad Wallach: Optioned to minors
Wallach was sent down to Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.
Wallach was taken off the 40-man roster in order to make room for J.T. Realmuto, who was reinstated from the paternity list in a corresponding move. Across 34 plate appearances with the Marlins this year, Wallach is hitting just .129/.182/.161 and doesn't provide much fantasy value in any format.