MLB Player News

D'Arnaud is hitting second in the order for Friday's game against the Rockies.

D'Arnaud is typically slotted around the seventh spot in the order, but will head all the way up to bat behind Curtis Granderson during the Mets' second game of their series against Colorado. He will be behind the plate and should be rested up after getting a day off for Thursday's outing.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

With Jon Lester on the mound for the Cubs on Friday, David Ross -- who regularly catches Lester -- will get the start behind the plate. Contreras started at a different position five of the last six times Lester was on the mound, but the returning Chris Coghlan will enter the lineup Friday instead. With Coghlan providing another option in the outfield moving forward, Contreras' playing time could take a bit of a hit.

Perez (illness) was a late scratch for Thursday's game against the Rangers, FSKC's Joel Goldberg reports.

Perez was taken out of the lineup with an illness as Drew Butera takes over behind the plate. Butera will now bat eighth in the order, with Paulo Orlando sliding up to the fifth spot. Perez will likely be back in the lineup Friday, but will be considered day-to-day for now.

Rupp is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt with Atlanta, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports.

It appears to be just a routine maintenance day for Rupp, who has made three consecutive starts coming into Thursday. Carlos Ruiz is making the start behind the dish and batting sixth. Rupp is 5-for-31 (.161) in 10 games since the start of the second half.

Realmuto went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, one walk, two runs scored and one RBI in Wednesday's 11-1 rout of the Phillies.

Realmuto reached base four times in what is likely his last start atop the lineup as speedster Dee Gordon returns to the team Thursday. Realmuto has done an admirable job as the leadoff man while breaking out with a robust .313/.347/.417 slash line through 326 at-bats this season. It will be interesting to see just how manager Don Mattingly handles the playing time and lineup now that Gordon is back in the mix, but Realmuto will remain a valuable contributor regardless of where he is positioned offensively.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup Thursday against the Rockies, ESPN's Adam Rubin reports.

He started the last two games, but will take a seat for Thursday's day game, making way for Rene Rivera behind the dish. D'Arnaud is hitting .246/.299/.333 with two home runs in 137 plate appearances this season, but there is more upside in his bat than he has shown so far and he should still be rostered in the majority of formats.

Leon is expected to start the next couple of games as Ryan Hanigan still needs time to recover from flu-like symptoms, Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe reports.

Hanigan has missed the last two games and now will travel out west with the team to begin an 11-game road trip in Anaheim on Thursday. Leon will start until Hanigan, who is available in an emergency, is ready to play a full game.

Stewart (knee) ran the bases on Wednesday and will increase his baseball activities this weekend, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

There is still no timetable for Stewart's return to Pittsburgh. In his absence, Eric Fryer has been serving as the backup catcher for the Pirates. With Fryer playing well, it's unclear whether Stewart will reclaim his spot in Pittsburgh upon his return from the disabled list.

Contreras is out of the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox.

This will be the second day in a row that Contreras is absent from the starting lineup. Miguel Montero will be behind the plate Wednesday, batting fifth.

Grandal is not in Wednesday's lineup against Tampa Bay, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

Grandal is just getting a normal day off, despite his recent power surge. A.J. Ellis will take over behind the plate and will bat eighth.