MLB Player News

Casali isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Colorado, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

The 33-year-old started in the last three games and went 2-for-8 with a double, two runs, a walk and three strikeouts. While Casali is in line to serve as the primary catcher after Joey Bart was sent down Wednesday, Austin Wynns will start behind the dish and bat eighth Thursday.

Sanchez and the Twins agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez made $6.35 million with the Yankees last year, and he'll get a fairly hefty pay raise during his first year with the Twins. The 29-year-old has received regular playing time over his first two months in Minnesota, and he's slashed .224/.282/.435 with seven home runs, 27 RBI, 16 runs and a stolen base over 44 games.

Diaz is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the Giants.

Diaz will sit after starting two games in a row, going 1-for-7 with a run scored in the first two contests of the series in San Francisco. Brian Serven will take over behind the plate and bat ninth Thursday.

Contreras and the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $9.625 million contract for the 2022 season Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The two parties were slated to have an arbitration hearing Thursday, but Contreras landed a new deal shortly before the deadline. The 30-year-old has been productive early in the season, slashing .277/.403/.530 with 10 homers, 35 runs, 23 RBI and two stolen bases over 47 games. He's slated to become a free agent during the offseason but is a candidate to be traded by the rebuilding Cubs this summer if he doesn't reach a long-term agreement with the team.

Collins went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Royals.

Making his first start since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Collins took Brady Singer deep in the third inning for his fourth homer in only 73 big-league plate appearances this season. The 27-year-old's .212/.288/.455 slash line is less impressive, however, and playing time could be hard for him to come by with top prospect Gabriel Moreno also set to join the Blue Jays this weekend -- assuming Collins isn't the player optioned back down to make room.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's victory against the White Sox.

Smith took Johnny Cueto deep for a two-run shot in the first inning. The homer was his seventh of the year and his second in the last three games. He later added a single and notched his first multi-hit effort since May 26. Overall, Smith has struggled to hit consistently this season, producing a .235/.343/.409 slash line over 149 at-bats in 44 games.

Moreno is joining the Blue Jays for the upcoming three-game series at Detroit which begins Friday, and he's expected to be officially added to the active roster at some point this weekend, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old is poised to receive his first taste of the big leagues this weekend after Danny Jansen landed on the injured list Tuesday with a fractured bone in his left hand. Fellow catchers Alejandro Kirk and Zack Collins are already on the MLB roster, but Moreno, who is one of the top prospects in baseball, will be called up and should receive regular opportunities behind the plate. Moreno has only one home run through 35 games with Triple-A Buffalo this season, but he still has a strong .323/.377/.406 slash line.

Stassi is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Stassi is 1-for-7 with a double, a walk and an RBI through the first two games of the series and will received Wednesday off. Kurt Suzuki will work behind the dish and bat eighth.

Nola is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Nola and Jorge Alfaro have alternated starts over the past 13 games, and that trend will continue Wednesday after Nola went 0-for-3 with a walk, a run and a strikeout during Tuesday's contest.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Sanchez will receive some routine maintenance after he was included in the lineup in five of the Twins' last six games as either a catcher or designated hitter. Ryan Jeffers will get the nod behind the plate Wednesday, while the Twins ease shortstop Carlos Correa (illness) back in as their DH in his first game back from the COVID-19-related injured list.