MLB Player News

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting seventh in Saturday's game against the Reds.

Regular catcher Willson Contreras is getting a breather after five straight starts, pushing Caratini into the lineup. On the season, the 24-year-old is slashing .254/.315/.299 and he's still searching for his first home run.

Contreras is out of the lineup Saturday against Cincinnati.

Contreras will retreat to the bench following five straight starts behind the plate, during which he hit .556 with a 1.535 OPS. In his place, Victor Caratini will handle the catching duties and bat seventh.

Mesoraco went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's win over the Rays.

He missed Wednesday's game after getting smacked in the head by a backswing Tuesday, but Thursday's off day gave Mesoraco enough time to recover and jump right back in the lineup. He's enjoying a strong run at the plate heading into the All-Star break, slashing .308/.413/.513 over his last 13 games with two homers and eight RBI while seeing roughly two-thirds of the playing time at catcher. Kevin Plawecki's also been hitting well, however, so Mesoraco will need to stay hot to continue getting a majority of the starts.

Murphy was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Mariners to be with his wife for the birth of their child, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Tony Wolters figures to replace Murphy until he returns to the team. He'll be placed on the paternity list and should return for Tuesday's series opener against Arizona.

Murphy was a late scratch from Friday's lineup against the Mariners, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

It is unclear why Murphy was scratched. Tony Wolters will slot in behind the dish, hitting ninth.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's loss to the Reds.

The Cubs had just eight hits and two runs, but Contreras was still productive from the No. 7 spot in the lineup. The 26-year-old catcher has been locked in lately, going 16-for-34 over his last 10 games with two home runs and 10 RBI. Chicago has a number of strong options in its lineup, but Contreras could move himself up in the order if he keeps hitting like this. He's now batting .287 this season with an .840 OPS.

Mesoraco (head) will catch and bat seventh against Tampa Bay on Friday.

Mesoraco didn't play Wednesday after taking a couple shots to the head during Tuesday's game, but he will be back in action following a scheduled off day. Across 54 games this year, he's hitting .225 with a .736 OPS.

Barnhart is not in the lineup against the Cubs on Friday, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barnhart will receive a day off after going 0-for-5 during Wednesday's series finale versus the White Sox. In his place, Curt Casali will handle the catching duties and bat seventh.

Hedges went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Hedges drove an offering from Shelby Miller deep over the left field wall for his third home run of the season. It was his first since coming off the disabled list June 24, one of the few positive signs since his return. In 23 at-bats since getting back on the field, Hedges has managed six hits but struck out nine times.

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Pirates.

Grandal followed up his 12th home run Tuesday with another strong day at the plate Wednesday. The switch-hitting catcher has gotten off to a 7-for-10 start through four July contests, after struggling mightily in the month of June (.162/.197/.324). Grandal will still cede starts to Austin Barnes against southpaws, but the streaky hitter appears to be locked in at the dish for the time being.