MLB Player News

Contreras is not in the lineup Friday for the second day in a row.

Fellow catcher David Ross is getting two starts in a row, which has put Contreras on the bench on consecutive days. Expect both players, along with Miguel Montero, to continue sharing the catching duties the rest of the way.

The Rangers recalled Nicholas from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Nicholas appeared in 10 games for the Rangers earlier this season and provided some pop, hitting two home runs and four doubles. He will provide the Rangers a left-handed hitting catcher to complement right-handers Jonathan Lucroy and Robinson Chirinos.

Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in Thursday's loss to Atlanta.

Making his first start since being recalled from Triple-A, Sanchez looked good again, continuing his positive results in a small MLB sample. He's now 7-for-21 (.333) with a pair of homers as a Padre -- and considering Sanchez's star turn with the bat in the minors this year (.324/.392/.636 in 55 games), there may be some sustainability to his performance if he can steal at-bats from Derek Norris. Considering Norris is hitting .185, that certainly doesn't seem inconceivable.

Contreras is not in Thursday's lineup against the Giants.

Following a 1-for-4 showing Wednesday, Contreras will head to the bench for the third time in the last five games. David Ross will once again take over behind the plate and bat eighth against Jeff Samardzija.

Moore was added to the Indians' active roster Thursday.

Moore spent his entire year with Columbus, posting an uninspiring .247/.316/.365 line over 86 games. The 32-year-old has some MLB experience, but hasn't performed well thus far. In his major league career, Moore has hit .201/.241/.309 with a 31 percent K-rate.

Realmuto is not in Thursday's lineup against the Mets, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto was behind the plate in the last four contests -- racking up seven hits in that span -- so he'll get what looks to be just an ordinary day off Thursday. Jeff Mathis will handle the catching duties in his stead and bat seventh against Mets starter Jacob deGrom.

Casali was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

One of three call-ups Thursday, Casali will rejoin the Rays just under a month after being optioned on Aug. 4. Casali has appeared in 71 games for the Rays on the season, but he's hitting just .168 in 185 at-bats.

Thole signed a major league contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Thole was DFA'd less than a week ago after the team acquired Dioner Navarro, but he'll now rejoin the Jays after clearing waivers Tuesday. He is knuckleballer R.A. Dickey's preferred catcher and will likely only be deployed down the stretch when Dickey is on the mound.

Gomes (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Akron on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes is slated to DH twice over the weekend as he continues to work back from a separated AC joint in his shoulder. Barring a setback, the expectation is that he'll be able to return to the big league club when eligible on Sept. 16.

Plawecki will be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Plawecki has had a solid showing with Las Vegas this season, as he's hit .300/.348/.484 over 55 games. Upon his return to the Mets, he'll look to improve his poor MLB line of .194/.301/.258.