MLB Player News

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Braves.

Contreras hit a two-run shot in the sixth inning that put the Cubs up 3-2, though their bullpen would squander the lead a few innings later. The Chicago catcher had a disappointing 10 home runs and 54 RBI in 2018, but he's off to a solid start with a .429/.556/.786 line through five games in what could be a bounceback season.

Barnes is back in the lineup, catching and hitting eighth for Wednesday's tilt against the Giants, Mike Giovanna of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Barnes yielded catching duties to Russell Martin on Tuesday, but he'll return the lineup for this contest. He's been splitting duties fairly evenly with Martin to start the season.

Diaz (illness) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Bradenton on Thursday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Diaz has been sidelined all season due to a viral illness, but he's finally ready to get back into game action. It's unclear how long the backstop will spend in the minors before being activated from the IL.

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

Gomes started the Nationals' previous two games behind the plate, so it's no surprise he'll get a reprieve in Wednesday's matinee contest. Kurt Suzuki checks into the lineup as Washington's starting catcher.

Casali is getting his first start of the season Wednesday against the Brewers, batting seventh in the lineup.

With the Reds carrying three catchers right now, it's been harder for Casali to get at-bats. He's 1-for-2 through the first four games so far.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

The Brewers are off Thursday before kicking off a three-game series with the Cubs in Milwaukee this weekend, so Grandal will effectively get two straight days of rest before re-entering the starting nine. Manny Pina will fill in for Grandal behind the dish in Wednesday's contest.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Barnhart will get his first day off of 2019 after going 4-for-13 with a pair of walks and a run scored in the Reds' first four contests. Curt Casali checks in behind the plate in Barnhart's stead.

Mejia will start at catcher and hit seventh in Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

It's the second start of the season for the 23-year-old backstop, who went 0-for-4 in his only other appearance against the Giants on March 30. Austin Hedges has drawn most of the action and is swinging the bat well with four hits in 11 at-bats, so he's drawing the majority of the workload at the outset of the season. Mejia had a standout spring at the plate, however, with a 1.005 OPS over 48 at-bats, and he'll look to transfer that over to the regular season and make a case for more starts.

Hedges is not starting Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

Despite the day off, Hedges still appears to be ahead of Francisco Mejia in the pecking order in San Diego. He's started four games to Mejia's two.

Barnes will head to the bench Tuesday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The Dodgers have alternated games between Austin Barnes and Russell Martin behind the plate so far this season. Martin takes his turn Tuesday, but expect Barnes back in the lineup Wednesday if the pattern continues.