MLB Player News

Contreras (hamstring) participated in agility drills and caught for teammate Jake Arrieta on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Contreras' workout Wednesday included sprints and additional running drills. He did a similar workout Tuesday, so seeing him be able to increase his level of activity in such a short amount of time is certainly promising. If he keeps his current pace, a mid-September activation from the disabled list should be in order for Contreras. Until then, Alex Avila and Rene Rivera will share time in the Cubs' lineup.

Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grandal will have the night off while Austin Barnes gets the nod to start behind the dish. Grandal will likely rejoin the Dodgers' lineup for their series finale against Chad Kuhl and the Pirates.

Barnhart is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Barnhart will get the day off after starting four consecutive games. Stuart Turner will serve as the Reds' backstop Wednesday while Barnhart gets some rest.

Hedges went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in a 12-4 rout of the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Hedges has broken out with 16 homers in 92 games in his first full season as a starter in the majors. The 24-year-old's .219 batting average has suppressed his fantasy value, but it is actually a marked improvement over the .161 mark he posted across 161 combined at-bats with the Padres in 2015 and 2016. Hedges has shown an ability to hit for average in the minors, so it isn't inconceivable to think that the youngster can develop into a top-tier fantasy catcher as he enters his prime years if he gets his strikeout rate closer to 20 percent (29.0 K percentage this season).

Grandal's lone hit in five at-bats was a two-run blast in Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

The 28-year-old has been flashing his power stroke lately with two doubles and three homers over his last six starts. Grandal continues to sit against southpaws and in day games following night games, but he has produced well enough (.262 batting average and 17 long balls) in a semi-regular role to remain relevant in most fantasy formats.

Contreras (hamstring) was seen doing agility drills on the field Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The young backstop continues to slowly work his way back from a hamstring strain that has kept him on the shelf since Aug. 9. Contreras should start to ramp up his activity in the next week, and while he still has a ways to go in his recovery, he's headed in the right direction. Barring any setbacks, Contreras could be back with the Cubs sometime in mid-September. In the meantime, Alex Avila and Rene Rivera will split duties behind the dish.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

D'Arnaud will get the day off after starting five of the last six games at catcher. Kevin Plawecki will take over behind the dish for him, batting eighth.

Hedges is out of Sunday's lineup against the Nationals.

He has started the last four games but will take a seat for the matinee prior to Monday's off day. Hector Sanchez starts behind the dish and will hit seventh.

Caratini was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs claimed Rene Rivera off waivers Saturday to serve as the backup catcher, so naturally Caratini was optioned as a corresponding move. He has hit .268/.318/.415 with one home run in 44 big-league plate appearances in his rookie campaign. Look for him to be back up when rosters expand in September, but his playing time will be extremely limited.

Grandal is out of Sunday's lineup against the Tigers, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

He has started five of the last six games, but will take a seat in the day game. Austin Barnes, who will start behind the dish and hit eighth against righty Justin Verlander, leads all big-league catchers (minimum 100 plate appearances) with a 148 wRC+.