MLB Player News

Maldonado (hand) is starting Friday against the Angels.

Maldonado sat out the last two games due to a swollen right hand but will start behind the dish and bat ninth Friday. He's gone just 1-for-14 with a double, a run, a walk and six strikeouts over his last five games.

Stassi is not in the Angels' lineup for Friday's game against Houston, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi has not been much of a threat at the plate this season, and his most recent cold spell -- he has a .374 OPS since the beginning of August -- hasn't helped him secure playing time. Instead, Matt Thaiss will serve as the Angels' catcher Friday.

Contreras (ankle) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

The 30-year-old will sit for a second straight game after exiting Tuesday's contest with left ankle soreness. Contreras was cleared of any serious issues after he underwent X-rays and an MRI on Wednesday, but he'll still require some additional time off after Chicago's scheduled day off Thursday. Yan Gomes will work behind the plate in Contreras' place in the series opener at St. Louis.

Delay will sit Friday against the Blue Jays.

Delay has emerged as the Pirates' primary catcher, starting four straight games prior to Friday's contest. Even in that role, however, he's unlikely to generate much fantasy interest, as he's slashing .232/.290/.293 with just one home run in 37 games this season. Tyler Heineman starts behind the plate Friday.

Jansen will sit for the second straight game Friday against the Pirates, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen's day off comes right after a run of three straight starts. He's hitting a lopsided but effective .219/.293/.474 through 157 plate appearances this season. Alejandro Kirk will start behind the plate Friday, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. resting his legs as the designated hitter.

McGuire will sit Friday against Texas, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

McGuire started five out of seven games from Aug. 24 through Aug. 30, going 8-for-19 at the plate and seemingly solidifying himself as Boston's primary catcher. He's now been on the bench for three straight games however, with Connor Wong getting the nod behind the plate Friday after Kevin Plawecki started the prior two contests.

McCann will sit Friday against the Nationals.

Neither McCann nor Friday's starter Tomas Nido looks like a true starting catcher at the moment. McCann's .515 OPS certainly isn't starter material, but Tomas Nido's .534 OPS isn't much better.

Contreras remains on the bench for Friday's game against Miami.

Contreras started the final seven games of August, slashing .357/.400/.536 over that stretch. He's now been on the bench for the first two games of September, with Ronald Acuna's knee troubles limiting him to designated hitter duties and Travis d'Arnaud starting behind the plate both times.

Mejia will be on the bench Friday against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Mejia sits after starting two straight games. Christian Bethancourt will take over behind the plate.

Rutschman is not in Friday's lineup against the Athletics, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Rutschman has cooled off a little of late, hitting .212/.323/.375 with three home runs and one steal over his last 80 at-bats. Robinson Chirinos will start behind the dish and bat ninth.