MLB Player News

Contreras (hamstring) will be behind the plate for 3-to-4 innings during Thursday's rehab outing with High-A Myrtle Beach, Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago reports.

Contreras is set to get a couple at-bats during Thursday's game, and then DH the following day. After that contest, the 25-year-old will rest and be reevaluated by the club to see if he's ready to rejoin the Cubs. If all goes well, he could theoretically return prior to Sunday's game against the Brewers, but he may need a few more games in the minors, or a couple days off, depending how his hamstring feels.

Hedges is out of the lineup against the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Hedges retreats to the bench for a typical day of maintenance following three straight starts behind the plate. In his place, Hector Sanchez gets the nod while batting fifth in the order.

Diaz is not in the lineup against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Diaz will head to the bench following four straight starts, including a 1-for-3 day during Tuesday's victory. In his place, Chris Stewart draws the assignment behind the plate.

Maldonado is not in the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the A's, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After starting 11 consecutive games, Maldonado will get a well-deserved day off. Over said games Maldonado pieced together a disappointing .211 batting average, but mashed three home runs. Juan Graterol will fill in at catcher and hit eighth Wednesday.

Grandal went 1-for-4 with his 19th home run of the season in a 3-1 loss to Arizona on Tuesday.

It was a successful return to the lineup for the 28-year-old backstop after he was given Monday off. Grandal continues to see the majority of starts against right-handed starters, providing mixed-league value with a .257/.311/.470 slash line through 419 plate appearances.

Contreras (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Myrtle Beach on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Contreras is set to begin the final stage of his rehab program after being placed on the disabled list with a hamstring strain on Aug. 11. It's unclear how many minor-league contests the catcher will appear in, but it seems that he's on track to return to the majors during this weekend's series against the Brewers.

Maldonado went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBI in Monday's win over the Athletics.

The veteran backstop has put together a solid week -- by his standards -- with a .259 batting average and three homers over his last seven contests. His overall numbers leave much to be desired (.227/.288/.385), but Maldonado's career-high 14 homers put him on the map in two-catcher leagues.

Manager Joe Maddon said Contreras (hamstring) is "really close" to returning, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.

He was able to run the bases with no issue during batting practice Monday, and Maddon indicated Contreras' next step may be a minor-league rehab assignment -- assuming an affiliate is in the playoffs. If not, the Cubs will likely get him up to game speed through simulated games. While he's close, Contreras still remains without a concrete return date.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Grandal will head to the bench against southpaw Robbie Ray after starting four of the last five games behind the dish. In his place, Austin Barnes will start at backstop, batting fifth.

Stassi (hand) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Monday.

Stassi was sidelined for just over the minimum amount of time with left hand inflammation and was cleared to return after a successful three-game rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi. With Brian McCann's top backup at catcher, Evan Gattis (wrist), on track to return from the DL by the weekend, Stassi and Juan Centeno won't be in store for much work behind the plate -- if any -- before the season concludes.