MLB Player News

Contreras appeared as a pinch-hitter and launched a two-run homer to center field in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

The Cubs' latest promising young prospect was called up Friday, but he waited until Sunday to see his first action at the plate and did not disappoint. Chicago is currently carrying three catchers on the roster, but manager Joe Maddon isn't scared to use players at multiple positions and will likely find a way to get Contreras' bat into the lineup one way or another. He has prior minor league experience at several positions and should make his first start in the field in short order.

Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Brewers, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After starting three straight games behind the plate, Grandal will give way to backup A.J. Ellis for the afternoon contest. Ellis seems likely to draw a start Monday as well, as he typically catches ace Clayton Kershaw.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Following an outstanding 4-for-5, three-RBI performance Saturday, Realmuto will be granted a day off after making three straight starts behind the plate. Jeff Mathis will man the catcher spot and bat seventh in the Marlins lineup.

Realmuto went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer in a 9-6 victory over the Rockies on Saturday.

His three-run bomb gave Miami the lead for good in the fifth. This was the eighth time this season Realmuto had at least three base hits in a game, and second time he had four. He is batting .305 with four homers, 22 RBI and 24 runs in 223 at-bats this season.

Rupp is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Stephen Gross of the Morning Call reports.

The 27-year-old has started five of the last seven games for the Phillies and will take a day off as Carlos Ruiz mans the catching duties. Rupp went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI on Friday to earn his first multi-hit game since June 5. He will likely be back in the lineup for Sunday's matinee.

Rupp went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI in Friday's 10-2 loss to the D-backs.

The Phillies' backstop actually opened the scoring for the game with his two-run triple in the first, which plated Cody Asche and Travis Joseph. It was Rupp's first three-bagger of the season, and his 18th extra-base hit overall. The 27-year-old now had four multi-hit efforts in June, and has hit safely in four of the last five games.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros.

This will be the second time in the last three games that Barnhart will get the day off in favor of Ramon Cabrera. The 25-year-old has struggled recently, going 0-for-14 in his last four starts. On the season, Barnhart is hitting .239 with two home runs and 10 RBI and will likely be back in the lineup for Saturday's game.

D'Arnaud (shoulder) will serve as the designated hitter Friday, then catch Saturday and Sunday for Triple-A Las Vegas before rejoining the Mets for their game Tuesday against the Royals.

D'Arnaud, out since April 25 with a strained rotator cuff, has recently progressed to catching a full game. He was able to do so earlier this week with no setbacks, putting him in line to be activated July 21. Once activated, d'Arnaud should be in the lineup nearly every day behind the plate for the Mets, whose lineup is missing several injured regulars.

Contreras was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, but he is not in the lineup against the Pirates.

Contreras is the top catching prospect in baseball and abused Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .353/.442/.593 slash line with nine home runs and four steals in 55 games. He boasts an incredible approach (32:28 K:BB) and he could also offer the Cubs some positional flexibility, given their propensity to move players around the diamond. Contreras only played catcher this year with Iowa, but he has experience playing left field, third base and first base in previous seasons. Miguel Montero and David Ross have been pretty dismal offensively this season, so there is a chance Contreras can earn a sizable role going forward, especially if he develops strong chemistry with a few of the Cubs' starting pitchers. Tim Federowicz was designated for assignment as a corresponding move.

Rupp is starting at catcher and batting fifth against Toronto on Thursday, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports.

Rupp received an off day Wednesday but is back out there for the final game of the Phillies-Blue Jays series. The 27-year-old will look to break out of a mid-June slump Thursday, as he's batting 2-for-19 (.105) over his last five games.