MLB Player News

Leon went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Orioles.

The veteran catcher joined the roster after Jorge Alfaro (hamstring) landed on the IL and made an immediate impact in his Miami debut. Leon is expected to split time with Chad Wallach behind the plate in Alfaro's absence, but if he keeps collecting hits, he could seize the starting role in the short term.

Contreras went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 16-4 win over the Mets.

Contreras has been playing well lately, as he's now 11-for-30 across his last eight games with four home runs, six RBI and seven runs scored. The catcher has primarily been batting second for the Cubs, so he should be able to keep scoring runs in bunches, though he might not see as many RBI opportunities as he did in previous seasons when he batted a bit lower in the order.

Narvaez went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Padres.

Narvaez is the hottest offensive player for the Brewers right now. His two-run home run off Keone Kela ended up being all the Brewers needed to win. The catcher is batting .396 with an OPS of 1.059, and he sports a .467 average with a home run and four RBI in his last five games.

Kelly is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Reds.

He is hitting .375 with a .543 OBP, three home runs and a 10:11 K:BB in 32 at-bats this season. Stephen Vogt will start at catcher and hit sixth.

Barnhart is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Diamondbacks.

Tyler Stephenson gets the start behind the dish and will hit eighth.

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

Kirk was included in the lineup in each of the past four games, making two starts at designated hitter and two at catcher. Cavan Biggio's three-game absence due to a hand injury helped Kirk pick up some extra playing time, but the 22-year-old's path to an everyday role will ultimately hinge on the Blue Jays' comfort with him behind the dish. The Blue Jays' No. 1 catcher, Danny Jansen, is slashing .065/.147/.097 through 34 plate appearances this season, making it increasingly difficult for Toronto to trot him out on a regular basis.

Garver is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Garver will rest for the series finale after he played in both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader loss, making one start at catcher and one start at first base. Ryan Jeffers will check in for Garver behind the plate, while Willians Astudillo picks up a start at first.

Gomes isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Gomes went 1-for-10 with a double, two RBI, one run and three strikeouts in the last three games. Alex Avila will start behind the plate Wednesday, batting seventh.

Maldonado and the Astros agreed Wednesday on a one-year, $5 million contract extension, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. According to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, the deal includes a $4 million team option or a $500,000 buyout for 2023, with option vesting to $5 million if Maldonado plays at least 90 games in 2022.

Though he only recently began the second season of the two-year, $7 million deal he signed in the 2019-20 offseason, Maldonado has made a strong enough of an impression as a game caller and defender behind the plate during his time in Houston for the club to give him some extra security. The 34-year-old has been less dependable on the offensive end -- he's gone 3-for-34 with 17 strikeouts to begin 2021 -- but the Astros are able to live with his shortcomings in that area if he can continue to coax good results out of the team's pitching staff.

Trevino isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Trevino had started each of the last three games and went 1-for-11 with a double, one RBI and three strikeouts during that time. Jonah Heim will take over behind the plate Wednesday, batting seventh.