MLB Player News

Contreras was optioned to Atlanta's alternate training site Wednesday.

Contreras and Alex Jackson unexpectedly opened the year as one of the Braves' two active catchers after both Travis d'Arnaud and Tyler Flowers came down with an illness. Both primary options are now healthy and back with the team, booting the fill-ins off the roster. Contreras grabbed four hits in 10 at-bats during his first big-league cameo.

Jackson was optioned to the Braves' alternate training site Wednesday.

Jackson and William Contreras were needed for the first several games with both Travis d'Arnaud and Tyler Flowers out with illness, but both primary backstop options are now healthy and back with the team. Jackson went 2-for-7 during his brief time with the team but struck out four times.

Stephenson was optioned to Cincinnati's alternate camp site Wednesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Stephenson made one appearance during his time with the big club and went 2-for-2 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Mike Moustakas was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Smith is not starting Wednesday against the Astros, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Smith will give way to Austin Barnes behind the dish Wednesday. Across four appearances this season (three starts), Smith is 1-for-11 with two walks, a home run and three RBI.

Perez (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

He has been dealing with a sore right shoulder and it's apparently serious enough for him to sit for at least 10 days. In the meantime, Sandy Leon will act as the primary catcher while Beau Taylor takes on the backup duties.

Garver is not in the lineup Wednesday against St. Louis.

The Twins rotated their catchers heavily last season, and they're set to do so again this year even following Garver's breakout campaign. He'll sit for the second time in the first five games, with Alex Avila getting the nod behind the plate.

D'Arnaud (illness) was activated from the injured list Wednesday.

Both d'Arnaud and fellow catcher Tyler Flowers had been on the COVID-19 injured list since Opening Day, though both players were evidently experiencing nothing worse than a normal illness as neither tested positive for the virus. Both have been cleared to return Wednesday and should split catching duties going forward.

Jackson went 2-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's loss to the Rays.

His two-bagger off Yonny Chirinos in the third inning was his first big-league hit. Jackson has been holding down the fort as Atlanta's starting catcher to begin the season, but with Tyler Flowers (illness) and Travis d'Arnaud (illness) both potentially ready to rejoin the club as soon as Wednesday, the 24-year-old will soon head to the bench and perhaps lose his spot on the 30-man roster entirely.

Mariners manager Scott Servais relayed after Tuesday's 10-2 loss to the Angels that Nola was scratched from the lineup due to a sore knee, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Joe Odom picked up the start behind the plate in place of Nola, who sustained the injury when he slid into second base during Monday's 8-5 loss to the Astros. Servais indicated that Nola is experiencing some swelling and discomfort in the knee and will be evaluated more closely Wednesday, but for now, the backstop can be viewed as day-to-day.

Stassi went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Tuesday's 10-2 win over the Mariners.

This was Stassi's first home run in 23 games with the Angels dating back to last season. The 29-year-old has reverse splits for his career and in fact has struggled mightily against southpaws (.186/.256/.311), but the Angels value Stassi's pitch-framing skills and seem intent on working him in against lefties. Jason Castro is the starter against right-handed pitching.