MLB Player News

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a leadoff home run in Monday's win over the Nationals.

Contreras shined in his first ever game as a leadoff hitter, putting the Cubs on the board right away against Gio Gonzalez. Contreras doesn't profile as a typical leadoff hitter, but neither does Anthony Rizzo, who recently got some run in the spot.

Stallings was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

He was serving as the third catcher or the Pirates and has seen a total of seven plate appearances in the majors this year despite multiple stints with Pittsburgh. Stallings is slashing .272/.337/.370 with one home run in 103 plate appearances at Triple-A.

Gomes is not in the starting lineup Monday against the Rangers.

Gomes went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Sunday, earning him a seat against probable Rangers starter Cole Hamels. Roberto Perez will get the start instead, acting as the battery mate to Carlos Carrasco.

Contreras is starting at catcher and leading off Monday against the Nationals.

In his most recent attempt to get the Cubs going at the plate, manager Joe Maddon is sliding Anthony Rizzo to the two-hole while moving Contreras up to the top of the order. Contreras, who owns a .355 OBP against southpaws this season, will face left-handed hurler Gio Gonzalez in his first game as the Cubs' leadoff hitter.

Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and one walk Sunday against the Rangers.

Sanchez's three-run blast put the Yankees back in the game, but they ultimately lost 7-6. In June, Sanchez has hit nine home runs and has 25 RBI in 82 plate appearances. Sanchez remains one of the premier catchers in the game.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

D'Arnaud has started each of the last four games for the Mets, so he'll retreat to the bench in favor of Rene Rivera.

Maldonado is not in Sunday's lineup against the Red Sox, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado will get a typical day off after starting the past five games. He has been mashing from the plate during this east coast trip, going 7-for-20 with two home runs and six RBI against the Yankees and Red Sox this week. In his place, Juan Graterol is behind the dish and batting ninth.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Mesoraco will sit for the second straight day as the Reds square off against Tanner Roark and the Nationals. Tucker Barnhart will take over behind the plate, batting eighth.

Leon is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Angels, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

Leon did not catch David Price in Saturday's matchup, and will once again give way to Christian Vazquez, who will catch the recently acquired Doug Fister in the series finale. With Chris Sale scheduled to take the mound Monday against the Twins, Leon should be back behind the plate.

Contreras is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins.

It will be the second time in three days that Contreras, once again giving way to Miguel Montero behind the plate, takes a seat.