MLB Player News

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Monday against the Rays, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

This marks the second consecutive day that Mesoraco will watch from the bench. He's been getting a few days per week off in order to keep him healthy, so he'll cede another start to Tucker Barnhart for the series opener.

Contreras went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI during Sunday's win over Pittsburgh.

The backstop slotted into the three-hole Sunday and made the most of the opportunity. He's up to a .254/.320/.411 slash line with 31 RBI for the campaign, which is solid production from the catcher position. Contreras has been trending in the right direction over the past month, posting an .811 OPS, 12 RBI and eight runs through his last 24 games.

Perez homered and drove in three runs in a 3-for-5 game in Sunday's win over the Angels.

Perez is red-hot in June, now with nine extra-base hits including three home runs over 13 games this month. He now has extra-base hits in four consecutive starts and is slugging a ludicrous .667 this month.

Sanchez (groin) will start at catcher and bat second Sunday against the Athletics.

Sanchez returns to the lineup for the first time since the series opener after the sore groin had relegated him to the bench for the previous two contests. With the Yankees optioning third catcher Kyle Higashioka back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of Sunday's contest, it would seem the club doesn't have much concern about Sanchez's health heading into the upcoming week.

Higashioka was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Higashioka was called up to the Yankees earlier in the weekend with Gary Sanchez (groin) hurting, but with Sanchez set to rejoin the lineup Sunday, the team had no further need for a third catcher. The Yankees activated closer Aroldis Chapman (shoulder) from the disabled list to take Higashioka's spot on the 25-man roster.

Maldonado is out of the lineup Sunday against the Royals, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

It's a routine day off for Maldonado after the veteran backstop was behind the plate for the previous three games. Juan Graterol will serve as the Angels' catcher in the series finale.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes will cede catching duties to Roberto Perez in the series finale. With six hits in 27 at-bats over eight games, Gomes has gotten off to a rather rough start to June but still appears poised to see the bulk of the starts behind the dish.

Contreras is batting third in the lineup during Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Kris Bryant has been occupying the third spot in the order with Anthony Rizzo leading off over the previous four games. With Bryant getting the day off Sunday, Contreras will move up to fill the void in the heart of the order. Though this shift is only temporary, Contreras is positioned to potentially provide solid DFS value against Jameson Taillon and the Pirates on Sunday.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Hedges, who has gone 1-for-8 over the first two games of the series against the Brewers, will be relegated to the bench for a scheduled day of rest. Luis Torrens will fill in behind the plate.

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

Mesoraco continues to take about two days off per week and will head to the bench in favor of Tucker Barnhart. Mesoraco is slashing .238/.347/.524 over his first 84 at-bats this year.