MLB Player News

Contreras, who is out of Wednesday's lineup against the A's due to hip tightness, is feeling better and could be available off the bench, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 31-year-old is out of the starting nine for the second straight game due to the hip issue, but it sounds like he could make an appearance as a reserve. The Cardinals open a four-game series with the Mets on Thursday, and Contreras' reported improvement is an encouraging development ahead of the series opener.

Fermin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

With Matt Beaty picking up more starts at first base of late, Salvador Perez has been playing more frequently behind the dish. Fermin has found himself getting squeezed out of the lineup of late as a result, as he'll now take a seat for the third time in five games. Fermin is still holding down an .847 OPS in August, so he shouldn't be completely phased out of the lineup while he remains one of the Royals' hotter hitters.

Heim is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Angels.

Heim, who also sat Monday, continues to be eased back into action following his return Sunday from a nearly three-week absence to heal a strained left wrist tendon. Mitch Garver will start at catcher for the Rangers on Wednesday as Robbie Grossman occupies the DH role.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Gomes is likely just getting a rest day after he started behind the plate in three of the last four games. With Gomes and Miguel Amaya both out of the starting nine, No. 3 catcher Tucker Barnhart will enter the lineup for the first time since Aug. 1.

Seattle placed Murphy on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left thumb sprain.

The injury comes with awful timing for Murphy, who has been playing more regularly in recent weeks and boasts a .355/.393/.697 batting line over his last 24 games (85 plate appearances) dating back to June 12. Brian O'Keefe was called up from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move to back up Cal Raleigh at catcher.

Soderstrom is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Even after going 1-for-4 in Tuesday's 6-2 win, Soderstrom is still sitting on a .160 batting average through his first 83 plate appearances in the big leagues. Even though the 21-year-old has struggled with the jump from Triple-A Las Vegas to the majors, the Athletics don't yet seem ready to pull the plug on Soderstrom as a near-everyday player at either designated hitter, catcher or first base. He had started each of the last five games and 10 of the previous 11 contests.

Jansen is out of the lineup again Wednesday against the Phillies.

Alejandro Kirk will get a second straight start at catcher despite going 0-for-4 versus the Phillies on Tuesday. Jansen suffered a right hand contusion last Thursday but returned to action Sunday. It's possible he's still battling some discomfort.

Naylor is out of the lineup Wednesday at Cincinnati.

Cam Gallagher will start at catcher and bat ninth with left-hander Andrew Abbott readying to toe the slab for the Reds. Naylor has slashed .222/.263/.278 in only 19 plate appearances versus southpaws this year.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

The playing time at catcher has been tilting in Stallings' favor of late, with the 33-year-old having started behind the dish in three of the previous four games. Stallings will give way to Nick Fortes on Wednesday, but even if one of the two emerges as the Marlins' clear-cut top option over the final six weeks of the season, neither is expected to deliver much meaningful fantasy value.

Contreras (hip) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He'll be on the bench for a second straight game while he manages a tight right hip. Despite Contreras being banged up, the Cardinals haven't called up another catcher from the minors, so the team is seemingly optimistic the hip issue isn't serious enough to send him to the 10-day injured list. Andrew Knizner will pick up another turn behind the plate Wednesday while Contreras turns his focus toward a return to the lineup at some point during this weekend's four-game series with the Mets.