MLB Player News

Thaiss went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored during Sunday's 6-3 win over the Mariners.

Thaiss entered the game with just one hit in 14 at-bats this month, but he came through in a big way when he hit a three-run home run -- the first of his career -- to give his club the lead for good in the eighth inning. Despite this pivotal contribution, Thaiss should not be considered for fantasy purposes until he displays the ability to produce regularly.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Nationals.

Realmuto drove home a run in the fourth inning with a single to left field, and he left the yard in the sixth inning to give his club a two-run lead. The 28-year-old backstop has now reached base safely in 10 straight contests, registering eight RBI over that stretch.

Barnes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Barnes is getting a routine breather after working behind the plate in the first two games of the series. Backup Russell Martin will handle the catching duties Sunday.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

With a southpaw on the bump for the Angels (Jose Suarez), the lefty-hitting Narvaez will head to the bench while Tom Murphy handles the catching duties for Seattle. Narvaez went 1-for-6 with a walk and three strikeouts while starting in the first two games of the series.

Casali is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Colorado, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Casali is on fire through the first two games in Denver and went 4-for-8 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBI. Saturday's game didn't finish up until the early hours of Sunday morning due to a three-hour rain delay, so it's no surprise to see the veteran backstop receive the day off. Kyle Farmer will start behind the plate and bat eighth for the Reds.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

He's merely receiving a breather after starting behind the plate the past two days. Backup backstop Cam Gallagher will work in a battery with Homer Bailey in the series finale.

Perez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Kevin Plawecki will step in at catcher and bat eighth in the series finale. Perez was behind the plate for the first two games of the series, going 2-for-7 with two RBI and four strikeouts.

Contreras is out of Sunday's lineup versus the Pirates with a sore right foot, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Contreras made a late exit from Saturday's contest due to the issue and will remain on the bench for the series finale as a result. The 27-year-old should be considered day-to-day as the injury is believed to be minor. Victor Caratini will catch for the Cubs in the meantime.

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting fifth in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

No. 1 catcher Willson Contreras will receive a breather in the series finale as he nurses a sore foot, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, setting up Caratini for his second start of the weekend. The 25-year-old is blocked at several positions for regular playing time, but he's produced when he's been in the lineup, as he has a .289/.379/.500 slash line through 36 games.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Contreras was out of the lineup for Friday's contest and will return to the bench for the series finale after going 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, two runs scored and a walk Saturday. Victor Caratini will start behind the dish for the Cubs in the series finale.