MLB Player News

Diaz (hamstring) caught a bullpen session Saturday and could return to action as soon as this week, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Diaz has been out since late August due to hamstring discomfort, but it seems like he's finally turning a corner in his recovery process. With the expanded rosters in September, Diaz can return to the roster easily, but his playing time may not be plentiful with Francisco Cervelli handling starting duties while Jacob Stallings and Ryan Lavarnway also compete for playing time as backups. Diaz still seems like the clear No. 2, but with the Pirates' playoff chances becoming slimmer and slimmer, the team may not force the 27-year-old backstop to play too much after missing over two weeks of action.

Garver (head) remains on the bench Sunday against the Royals.

Garver will miss his fourth straight game after taking a foul ball off his mask on Wednesday. He reportedly avoided a concussion, but the Twins will remain careful with him. Chris Gimenez starts behind the plate in his place.

Perez is out of the lineup for the second straight day Sunday against the Twins.

The catcher's typically heavy workload has been significantly reduced in September. Since returning from a thumb injury Sept. 7, he's started just five of 10 games. Meibrys Viloria will start behind the plate Sunday.

McCann is not starting Sunday against Cleveland.

McCann is in the middle of his worst season at the plate, hitting just .219/.266/.317, but he's nevertheless started nine of 14 games in the month of September. Grayson Greiner gets the call behind the plate Sunday.

Jansen is not in the lineup Sunday against the Yankees.

Jansen has the most starts out of Blue Jays' catchers in the month of September but has still started just seven of 15 games. Reese McGuire gets the call behind the plate Sunday.

Realmuto is not in the lineup Sunday against the Phillies, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto caught each of the past five days but only went 2-for-16 in that span. He'll get a day off to rest Sunday, allowing Bryan Holaday to slide in for a turn behind the plate.

Contreras is not in the lineup Sunday against the Reds.

Contreras drove in the Cubs' only run Saturday night, but he'll get a day off for the second time in the series. Victor Caratini will fill in for him at catcher for the series finale.

Leon is not in the lineup Sunday against the Mets.

After starting three straight games, Leon has sat for three of the last four. He's hitless in his last 13 games, so it's little surprise that he finds himself on the bench. Christian Vazquez will start behind the plate.

Gomes is not in the lineup Sunday against Detroit.

Gomes is one of eight starters to be rested Sunday after Cleveland clinched their playoff berth the day before. Eric Haase will start behind the plate.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Reds.

Contreras had half of his team's hits, and his second knock of the day was huge, as he drove in Javier Baez in the bottom of the sixth inning for the only run off the game. It was a bright spot in what's been a down season for the 26-year-old catcher, as he's now tallied nine home runs and 51 RBI in 127 games after posting 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 117 games a year ago.