MLB Player News

Manager Joe Girardi said Sanchez was held out of Friday's game due to a stiff neck, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez is back behind the plate for Saturday's game, so it doesn't appear the issue was anything major. The 24-year-old phenom has already missed time this season with a biceps strain, but he'll avoid an extended stay on the bench this time around. Sanchez will look to build on his four-game hitting streak as the Yankees face Matt Andriese and the Rays on Saturday.

Realmuto went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Realmuto has hit safely in each of his last eight starts and is proving that last season's .303/.343/.428 line was no fluke. The young backstop is exceeding each of those numbers thus far this season (.309/.356/.441) and has also seen a reduction in strikeout rate (18.3 percent to 16.4 percent) and corresponding increase in contact rate (80 percent to 82 percent). Considering the relative lack of catcher depth fantasy-wise, he's one of the more valued assets at the position in all formats.

Mesoraco (hamstring) is starting at catcher and hitting eighth Saturday against the Rockies, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

He missed three straight games before making a pinch-hit appearance Friday. Mesoraco is hitting .265/.375/.382 with one home run in 40 plate appearances this season.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's loss to the Brewers.

Contreras is slashing just .229/.295/.390, numbers that are all down from his strong 2016 rookie season. However, his 19 RBI puts him fifth among MLB catchers, so he's still delivering some value in a stacked Cubs lineup.

Rupp went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer Friday against the Pirates.

His fourth bomb of the year came off Tony Watson and broke open a Phillies victory in the ninth inning. Rupp's now slashing .255/.343/.468 and is proving to be a strong fantasy option at the catcher position.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

The 28-year-old will get what looks like a routine breather after starting back-to-back games and four of the last five. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish and bat fifth against lefty Justin Nicolino. Grandal has hit safely in each of his last 10 starts, raising his average more than 70 points over that span.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Friday against the Athletics, Tim Britton of The Providence Journal reports.

Vazquez is batting below the Mendoza line in his past seven games, so he'll get a night off to get back on track. Sandy Leon will assume catching duties for the evening.

Gomes is not in the lineup Friday against the Astros.

Despite batting .375 over his past 14 games, Gomes will head to the bench for his second consecutive game off. Roberto Perez will fill in for him behind the plate.

Sanchez is not in the lineup Friday against the Rays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Sanchez has been scorching hot since returning from the disabled list (.994 OPS since May 5), but he'll take a night off after catching the past four games. Austin Romine will take over behind the plate in his stead.

Mesoraco (hamstring) is out of the lineup Friday against the Rockies.

The news comes as no surprise considering Mesoraco is being considered for a stint on the disabled list. The oft-injured catcher has been held out for the past three games and again gives way to Tucker Barnhart behind the plate in Friday's matchup.