MLB Player News

Contreras isn't starting Monday against the Nationals.

Contreras started in the last three games and went 2-for-10 with a homer, a double, two runs, two walks and three strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Travis d'Arnaud starts behind the plate and bats sixth Monday.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

The young backstop continues to push his way into a regular role for Atlanta. Contreras has started eight of 11 games in June, splitting work behind the plate with Travis d'Arnaud while also spotting in at DH, and he's slashed .323/.400/.645 through 35 plate appearances during that time. Through 27 games in the majors this season, Contreras is batting .292 with nine homers, 17 runs and 17 RBI.

Heim went 1-for-6 with two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 8-6 extra-innings win over the White Sox.

Heim plated two runs in the top half of the 12th inning to give the Rangers a lead they held in the bottom half of the frame. The catcher maintains serviceable fantasy production with a slash of .250/.307/.457 along with seven home runs and 22 RBI over 42 games.

Higashioka went 3-for-5 with two homers and three runs in Sunday's 18-4 win over the Cubs.

Higashioka didn't homer in any of his first 34 games of the season, but he homered in the third and eighth innings during Sunday's rout. The 32-year-old has alternated starts behind the dish recently and has hit .200 with two homers, four runs and two RBI over seven games since the start of June.

Bethancourt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a stolen base and a strikeout in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Guardians.

Bethancourt started in every matchup during the Athletics' four-game series against Cleveland, and he went 9-for-17 with three homers, two doubles, five runs and five RBI over those four games. The 30-year-old had inconsistent playing time in late May and early June, but the Athletics will likely try to find ways to keep him in the lineup as long as he's swinging a hot bat.

Stassi will sit Sunday against the Mets, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Stassi hasn't started more than three consecutive games at any point this season. He was in the lineup for each of the Angels' last three contests, so it's not a surprise to see Kurt Suzuki take over behind the plate Sunday.

Vazquez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Mariners.

Vazquez is hitting .167 with zero home runs and one steal in nine games this month. Kevin Plawecki is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth.

Casali will be on the bench Sunday against the Dodgers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Casali is playing through a hamstring issue and expects to for some time, but he isn't expected to wind up on the injured list. Austin Wynns will take over behind the plate Sunday.

Nola will not start Sunday's game against Colorado.

Nola and Jorge Alfaro have now alternated starts behind the plate for 18 straight games. Alfaro gets the nod Sunday, but Nola should start Monday at Wrigley Field if the pattern continues.

Diaz will sit Sunday against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Diaz and Brian Serven have alternated starts behind the plate over the last six games. Serven gets the nod Sunday, but Diaz should return for Tuesday's game against the Guardians if the pattern continues.