MLB Player News

Contreras was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Contreras will serve as a right-handed bat behind the dish for Atlanta, but he may see the lesser share of the playing time behind Stephen Vogt after Travis d'Arnaud was placed on the paternity list Saturday. The 23-year-old has hit .204 with seven home runs, 21 RBI and 16 runs in 44 major-league games this year.

Sanchez isn't starting Saturday against Minnesota.

Sanchez and Kyle Higashioka have alternated starts behind the dish since Sanchez returned from the injured list. He'll retreat to the bench after he went 1-for-4 in Friday's win.

D'Arnaud was placed on the paternity list Saturday.

D'Arnaud was productive in Friday's series opener against the Orioles with a two-run homer, but he'll be away from the team for up to three games following the birth of his child. Stephen Vogt will likely serve as the primary catcher in his absence, while William Contreras was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Plawecki entered Friday's game after Christian Vazquez fouled a ball off his left knee.

Vazquez sustained the injury during an eighth-inning at-bat, which he finished, before he was removed in the ninth. Plawecki, who is batting .365 since the All-Star break, could be in line for a start Saturday and potentially more frequent starts beyond Saturday pending the status of Vazquez's knee.

Vazquez left Friday's game against the Rangers after taking a foul ball off the top of his left knee.

The event happened during a plate appearance in the eighth inning, but Vazquez remained in the game to finish out the 11-pitch at-bat. He was replaced behind the plate in the ninth inning by Kevin Plawecki.

Maldonado went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and a run scored in Friday's 12-3 win over the Mariners.

Maldonado had one of his best games this season after reaching base four times and sending one over the wall for the first time since July 31. The 35-year-old backstop has not been able to get it going overall this year. He's slashing just .183/.284/.319 with nine homers, 29 RBI, 32 runs scored and 36:96 BB:K over 320 plate appearances. His inconsistency at the plate has led to him losing occasional starts to Jason Castro.

D'Arnaud went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Friday's 3-0 win over the Orioles.

D'Arnaud inked a two-year, $16 million contract extension with Atlanta earlier in the day, and he had a strong showing in Friday's series opener against Baltimore. The veteran backstop has appeared in six games since he returned to full health, and he's hit .292 with two homers, two doubles, six RBI and four walks during that time.

Gallagher went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.

Gallagher entered Friday's game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the eighth inning after Salvador Perez (neck) suffered an injury. The 28-year-old gave the Royals some insurance during his lone at-bat in the top of the ninth inning by hitting his first homer of 2021. Gallagher has had sporadic playing time but is in line for increased at-bats if Perez misses any additional games.

McCann was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back spasms Friday, retroactive to Aug. 17.

McCann was slated to miss a fourth consecutive game Friday, but he'll have additional time to recover while on the injured list. Patrick Mazeika should continue to fill in while the 31-year-old is sidelined, with Chance Sisco available in a depth role.

McCann (back) isn't starting Friday's game against the Dodgers, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

McCann will be held out of the lineup for a fourth straight game Friday, but the Mets have been optimistic recently that he'd be available off the bench if needed. Patrick Mazeika will draw the start behind the dish once again.