MLB Player News

Garver is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Garver started behind the plate on Opening Day, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Ryan Jeffers gets the nod Saturday. The expected playing-time split between the two catchers may take a few more games to figure out, but the fact that Jeffers is already starting the second game of the year despite the Twins getting Friday off may hint toward something close to a 50-50 split.

Murphy (wrist) will sit again Saturday against the Astros, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Murphy was hit by a pitch in his wrist in Thursday's season opener and was scratched from Friday's lineup. He'll miss a second straight game Saturday, with Aramis Garcia getting another start behind the plate. Per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com, Murphy is feeling better and could pinch hit Saturday.

Mejia went 1-for-2 with an RBI sacrifice fly and a walk in a win over the Marlins on Friday.

The backup backstop didn't have to wait long to draw his first start of the season, and his ninth-inning sac fly gave the Rays some valuable breathing room by extending their lead to two runs. The switch-hitting Mejia should see his fair share of starts against right-handed pitching this season and could potentially carve out a solid swath of playing time if he proves productive at the plate.

Contreras is starting at catcher and batting first in Saturday's game against the Pirates.

It's not every day that a catcher bats leadoff, but Contreras was already batting second for the Cubs, and he'll now move up a spot with Ian Happ out of Saturday's lineup. Contreras doesn't offer a ton of speed atop the lineup, though he's good at getting on base and could score a handful of runs if the Chicago bats behind him are able to get going after a sluggish season opener Thursday.

Vazquez is not in Saturday's lineup against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish and bat ninth. Vazquez went 0-for-2 with a walk in Boston's opener Friday.

Smith went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 11-6 win over the Rockies.

Making his first start of the season, Smith took full advantage of Coors Field's expansive outfield. Austin Barnes injured his hand Opening Day but is still expected to be back behind the plate Saturday, and the only thing standing between Smith and a huge 2021 campaign might be the fact that he's stuck in a timeshare.

Murphy was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Astros with a right wrist contusion.

He was hit on the wrist by a pitch in Thursday's game. Aramis Garcia will enter the lineup at catcher and will bat ninth.

Murphy is not in the lineup Friday against the Giants.

Murphy started Thursday's season opener but will cede the catcher spot to Luis Torrens in the second game of the season. It may take some time to determine the exact playing-time breakdown between those two, though the fact that Murphy is already sitting may indicate a fairly even split.

Caratini is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The 27-year-old received the start Opening Day with Austin Nola (finger) sidelined, and Caratini went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one strikeout. Luis Campusano will catch for lefty Blake Snell on Friday.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts Opening Day and will head to the bench for Friday's contest. Dom Nunez will start behind the plate and bat eighth in the second game of the season.