MLB Player News

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs, a third run scored and a walk during a 17-8 victory over the Pirates on Friday.

The Cubs catcher went deep twice against Pirates starter Steven Brault in the first three frames. The first long ball gave Contreras a new career high in the homer category, and he set a new high-water mark in runs too. Contreras is batting .283 with 23 home runs, 62 RBI, 52 runs and one steal in 318 at-bats this season.

Thaiss isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Rays, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Thaiss will retreat to the bench, opening the door for Albert Pujols to draw the start at first base and bat cleanup.

Sanchez was diagnosed with a groin strain Friday, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Sanchez battled another groin strain in late July and early August, missing slightly more than two weeks. His current injury is considered quite similar, putting his expected return date right around the final few days of the regular season. Austin Romine appears to be in line to handle the bulk of the catching duties down the stretch.

McCann will hit the bench Friday against Seattle.

McCann has gone 6-for-17 with three doubles over his last five games. He'll get a rest Friday, with Zack Collins starting behind the plate.

Sanchez (groin) is not in the lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.

Sanchez's absence is no surprise, as he's reportedly traveling to New York for testing on his sore groin. It remains unclear how much time he's expected to miss. Austin Romine starts Friday.

Murphy, who is hitting .333 across his first 19 major-league plate appearances, will nevertheless have his workload monitored closely by manager Bob Melvin, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Murphy endured two separate stints on the injured list due to knee issues with Triple-A Las Vegas this past minor-league season, so the Athletics naturally want to be careful with their prized prospect, especially considering he plays a position as physically demanding as catcher. The solid season turned in by veteran Josh Phegley affords Melvin plenty of flexibility behind the plate, and the recent return of Beau Taylor on a waiver claim provides Oakland's skipper with another option.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Stallings went 2-for-4 with a solo homer Thursday and will receive a breather Friday afternoon. Elias Diaz will start behind the plate and bat eighth in the series opener.

Collins went 0-for-2 in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Royals.

Collins started his third straight game and continues to get regular plate appearances, but the rookie's gone hitless in his last 15 at-bats. The White Sox are hoping the work he put in at Triple-A Charlotte between stints in the majors will pay off, but the young catcher is 2-for-19 since being called up as part of September's roster expansion.

Narvaez went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and a double in Thursday's loss to Cincinnati.

Narvaez launched a two-run shot to left center field in the third inning to reach the 20-homer mark on the season. The fourth-year catcher has slumped in September, collecting only three hits in 21 at-bats, but is nonetheless enjoying the finest season of his career with a .276/.351/.460 slash line and 51 RBI in 120 games.

Realmuto went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's victory over the Braves.

The 28-year-old catcher extended Philadelphia's lead with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. The long ball was his 25th of the season, good for fourth among all catchers, while he's slashing .279/.332/.504.