MLB Player News

Contreras (hamstring) was doing catching drills behind the plate prior to Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reports.

Contreras was able to go through drills at his position for the first time since landing on the disabled list a few weeks ago. He was also out doing another round of agility drills, and appears to be passing all the tests while working his way back from the hamstring injury. Contreras is expected to need another couple weeks before he's ready to rejoin the team, while Alex Avila and Rene Rivera continue to man the position in his stead.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup Wednesday against Cincinnati.

D'Arnaud will retreat to the bench in favor of Kevin Plawecki, who is set to catch Rafael Montero and bat fifth in the order. Since Aug. 17, d'Arnaud is hitting .281/.324/.375 with one RBI and five runs scored.

Jackson will be one of eight Braves prospects to take part in the Arizona Fall League this year, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The team's 19-year-old phenom, Ronald Acuna, headlines the group, but Jackson -- the Braves' No. 13 fantasy prospect -- has had a solid season in his own right, slashing .272/.333/.502 with 14 homers in 66 games at High-A before taking a step back with a .241/.305/.379 line in 23 games for Double-A Mississippi. His defense in his first season back behind the plate has been erratic at best, but the organization will be patient with the 21-year-old given the offensive potential in his bat if he can stick at catcher.

Hedges isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.

Hedges will gave way to Hector Sanchez on Monday. The young backstop is sporting a batting average of just .212 over 66 at-bats in August, but Hedges is still in line to take the majority of the starts for the Padres down the stretch.

Wallach was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Wallach is no longer needed as catching depth with Stuart Turner back from the paternity list, so he'll head back to Louisville for the time being. He went 0-for-4 in the only game he appeared in for the Reds, which was also his big-league debut. The 25-year-old will now focus on improving his unimpressive .226/.280/.398 line in 64 games with Louisville this season.

D'Arnaud isn't in the lineup for the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

D'Arnaud served as catcher for the Mets' earlier Sunday, so they'll give him the night off and use Kevin Plawecki as their backstop. D'Arnaud struggled in Game 1 and went 0-for-4 at the plate.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.

Barnhart will receive a breather after drawing starts behind the plate in the previous three games. Chad Wallach, who was recalled from the minors Friday after backup catcher Stuart Turner hit the paternity list, will draw his first MLB start as the batterymate for Tyler Mahle, who he had previously caught at Triple-A Louisville.

Stewart is out of the lineup Sunday against the Reds.

With Francisco Cervelli (quadriceps) returning to the disabled list Saturday, the Pirates have an opening for regular starts behind the plate, but it looks as though Stewart may be forced to share time with Elias Diaz, who receives the nod Sunday. Even if Stewart were to take on the bulk of the catching duties, he would likely do more harm than good for fantasy owners, given the middling .469 OPS he carries for the season.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Sunday against the Padres, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

It's nothing more than a routine day off for Realmuto, who had started the last 15 games for the Marlins, with most of those nods coming behind the plate. The extensive workload seems to be wearing on Realmuto, who had managed just five hits in 33 at-bats over the past eight contests. A.J. Ellis checks in for him at catcher.

Diaz was recalled by the Pirates on Saturday.

He returns to the Pirates with Francisco Cervelli heading back to the disabled list due to an irritated quadriceps. Diaz figures to platoon with Chris Stewart behind the dish while Cervelli is on the shelf. The 26-year-old Diaz is slashing .250/.283/.350 with 16 RBI in 100 at-bats this season.