MLB Player News

McCann isn't starting Monday against the Brewers.

McCann has split playing time behind the dish recently and will head to the bench for a second consecutive game. Tomas Nido is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

Maldonado isn't starting Monday against the Rays.

Maldonado was productive Sunday against Oakland, going 4-for-4 with a homer, four runs and four RBI. However, he'll be out of the lineup for the fourth time in the last six games while Christian Vazquez starts behind the dish and bats eighth.

The Athletics promoted Soderstrom from Double-A Midland to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

With Midland's season coming to a close Sunday, the Athletics will reward one of their top prospects with a look in Las Vegas, where he could end up spending a large portion of the 2023 campaign. Las Vegas marks the third stop of the season for the 20-year-old backstop, who slashed .265/.324/.509 with 28 home runs across 518 plate appearances between Midland and High-A Lansing.

Mariners manager Scott Servais confirmed that Raleigh's absence from the lineup for Monday's series finale with the Angels is related to persistent soreness in the catcher's jammed left thumb, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Raleigh missed two games due to the issue before returning to action for Saturday's 2-1 win, and though he played the full contest, he'll be back on the bench Monday for the second straight game. Though Servais didn't officially rule Raleigh out for Tuesday's series opener in Oakland, Brock speculates that the young backstop won't be available. Curt Casali is replacing Raleigh behind the plate in Monday's contest.

Leon was removed in the fourth inning of Monday's game against the Guardians with right knee inflammation, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Leon struck out in his lone at-bat before departing for the contest. Caleb Hamilton came off the bench to replace Leon, the Twins' No. 2 catcher who had received the start with top backstop Gary Sanchez getting a maintenance day.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Phillies.

He's recorded a hit in each of his last four games, going 7-for-16 altogether to bring his batting average up to .278 for the season. Contreras looks to have taken back control of a spot in the everyday lineup from Marcell Ozuna, who is on the bench for Monday's series opener with the Nationals. Meanwhile, Contreras will serve as Atlanta's designated hitter and No. 7 hitter, marking his fifth consecutive start.

Stallings has a day off Monday versus the Cubs.

It appears to be a regular day of rest for Stallings, who caught Sandy Alcantara's complete game Sunday. The 32-year-old has a respectable .785 OPS in his last 10 games.

Bethancourt went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

Filling in behind the dish for a resting Francisco Mejia, Bethancourt came up big on offense, with his two extra-base knocks matching his output from his previous seven contests combined. For his efforts, Bethancourt will be rewarded with another start at catcher in Monday's series opener with the Astros, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Bethancourt is batting eighth Monday.

Mejia is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia will take a seat for the second game in a row while Christian Bethancourt continues to push him for playing time at catcher. Since Mejia returned from a stint on the injured list Aug. 5, he's started 22 games behind the plate compared to Bethancourt's 19.

Stassi is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After a recent string of three consecutive starts behind the dish, Stassi will sit for the second straight game while Matt Thaiss handles catching duties. Stassi still looks to be Option 1A for the Angels, but his major downturn in performance in 2022 could result in Thaiss becoming part of a timeshare at the position. After posting a .752 OPS last season, the 31-year-old Stassi is slashing .179/.267/.297 over his 352 plate appearances in 2022.