MLB Player News

Contreras is not in the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.

Contreras will retreat to the bench after making consecutive starts over the past two days, going 3-for-8 with two strikeouts. Chris Gimenez draws the start in his stead.

Stassi went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored Saturday against the Rangers.

Stassi got a chance to start with the Astros giving Brian McCann a day off after he returned from the disabled list Friday. Stassi took advantage by hitting his sixth home run of the season, this one coming against left-hander Mike Minor. That continued Stassi's trend of crushing left-handed pitching, as he entered Saturday's game with a .595 slugging percentage against them in 42 at-bats this season.

Narvaez will get another day off Saturday against the Red Sox.

Narvaez has played in just three of Chicago's last seven games, going 3-for-10 with a double and a walk. Kevan Smith will bat fifth and take over behind the dish in his absence.

Garver isn't in Saturday's lineup against the Twins, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Garver was dealing with a bruised quadriceps a few days ago, although this seems to be a scheduled off day for the 27-year-old backstop. Bobby Wilson is slated to bat ninth in his stead.

Maldonado (foot) isn't in Saturday's starting lineup against the Twins, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado will get a day to rest after fouling a ball off his left foot in Friday's tilt. Manager Mike Scioscia stated Maldonado is fine, but he was spotted limping into the clubhouse Saturday morning, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports, so he'll be considered day-to-day. Jose Briceno is penciled into the lineup in his place.

Stassi will be the starting catcher Saturday against Texas, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Starting backstop Brian McCann was activated off the disabled list and played Friday, so he'll get a break Saturday. Stassi could also start Sunday with the Rangers scheduled to throw the left-handed Matt Moore. Stassi is crushing southpaws this season with a 1.030 OPS.

Grandal went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs to help the Dodgers to a 7-3 victory over the Braves on Friday.

Grandal had been slumping coming into this contest with just three hits in June, but he broke out with this multi-homer effort that bumped him up to 11 long balls on the season. His batting average was bound to come down to earth eventually, but even if he stays around the .249 mark he's currently posting throughout the season, Grandal's power-hitting abilities and career .339 on-base percentage suggest he'll remain a fantasy asset at a shallow position.

Gomes is not in the lineup against Detroit on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes will receive a standard day off for maintenance purposes after starting the past three games behind the plate. In his stead, Roberto Perez will catch Trevor Bauer and bat eighth.

Plawecki is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Plawecki started the last four games -- including one start at first base -- and went 3-for-16 with six strikeouts in 18 plate appearances. Devin Mesoraco was nursing a hamstring injury most of the week, but returns to the lineup Friday to give Plawecki the night off.

Mesoraco (hamstring) is starting at catcher and batting fifth against the Yankees on Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Mesoraco experienced tightness in his hamstring following Sunday's game against the Cubs and had not returned to the lineup all week. The 29-year-old has a .218/.301/.436 slash line in 101 at-bats this season. Masahiro Tanaka takes the mound for the Yankees on Friday.