MLB Player News

Pentecost, who missed the entire 2015 season due to shoulder surgeries, is beginning to see more time at catcher now that he's back to full health, Sportsnet.ca reports.

The No. 11 overall pick in 2014 had been serving as the DH and playing some first base while his shoulder regained strength. However, catching is still Pentecost's primary position, and he's arguably the best backstop in Toronto's system. Through 67 games with High-A Dunedin, the 24-year-old is hitting .285 and is tied for second on the team with nine home runs.

Contreras went 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI during Thursday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

The backstop has been a fantasy force over his past 25 games with nine homers, 27 RBI, 16 runs and a .340/.415/.681 slash line. That pace is obviously unsustainable, but Contreras has also settled into the heart of the lineup and should continue to see plenty of RBI opportunities hitting behind Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. He's close to locking himself into mention among the top-tier fantasy catchers, if he hasn't already.

Manager John Farrell said Leon (knee) is lined up to make his next start Sunday against the White Sox, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon has been held out recently due to a sore right knee, but it appears he'll be good to go for Sunday's series finale. He was available off the bench for Wednesday's game, so he'll likely be a substitute option in the coming days as well.

Mesoraco (knee) could be back in the lineup within the next "48-to-72 hours" according to manager Bryan Price, The Cincinnati Enquirer's Zach Buchanan reports.

Mesoraco has been out since Saturday with a knee injury that will force him to miss at least a couple more games. It doesn't appear as though the injury will warrant any sort of trip to the disabled list, but the catcher could miss a week of action by the time he comes back. In his place, Tucker Barnhart sets up behind the plate for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Grandal is out of the lineup against the Braves on Thursday.

Grandal receives a day off after two straight starts behind the plate, going 1-for-8 with five strikeouts during those games. In his place, Austin Barnes draws the assignment of catching Alex Wood, while batting sixth.

Mesoraco (knee) will miss his fourth straight game during Thursday's contest with the Pirates.

Mesoraco hasn't been a part of the starting lineup since Saturday when he exited the game against Miami due to knee injury. There hasn't been much word concerning Mesoraco's timetable, so he should be considered day-to-day moving forward. Tucker Barnhart will continue to draw the starts at catcher in his stead.

D'Arnaud is not in Thursday's lineup against the Rockies.

D'Arnaud gets a day off after catching the previous four games, going 6-for-16 with one RBI during that span. In his place, Rene Rivera sets up behind the plate, batting eighth.

Leon (knee) is available off the bench Wednesday, and is on the verge of returning to the lineup to spell Christian Vazquez within the next couple days, Jason Mastrodonato of The Boston Herald reports.

Leon hasn't played since Saturday while recovering from a swollen right knee. Although Vazquez typically nabs most of the starts, Leon has been in the lineup more recently since the All-Star break. The 28-year-old will likely be back behind the plate before the weekend begins.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's series finale against Boston.

Gomes will receive a standard day off after starting the past two games of this series, going 0-for-5 with two runs scored. In his place, Roberto Perez draws the start behind the plate.

Mesoraco (knee) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

Although his removal from Saturday's contest was considered precautionary, Mesoraco will now have missed three straight games due to the issue. Tucker Barnhart will assume catching duties in his stead.