MLB Player News

Contreras homered and drove in four runs in a 2-for-4 game Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Contreras hadn't driven in multiple runs since May 12, a 36-game span in which Contreras hit just .254/.364/.331 with one home run and six RBI. Thanks to his hot start, Contreras still owns a solid .272/.360/.444 overall slash line, but he has been coasting on his strong April for some time now. The Cubs will hope Wednesday's game is sign that he's rediscovering that form.

Casali went 2-for-4 in Wednesday's win over the Braves, raising his slash line with the Reds to .407/.448/.630 in 30 plate appearances.

The former Rays catcher has been used sparingly as Tucker Barnhart's caddy, having sat the previous four games. But he's done more than an adequate job in replacing Devin Mesoarco as the backup.

Murphy is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Giants, Jenny Cavnar of AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain reports.

He will sit for the third time in the last six games. Murphy is hitting .325/.341/.450 with zero home runs and a 39 percent strikeout rate in 40 at-bats since joining the big-league club. Chris Iannetta is starting behind the dish and hitting seventh against lefty Madison Bumgarner.

Realmuto (wrist) was scratched from Wednesday's lineup, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

It appeared Realmuto was ready to return to action after sitting out the previous two days, as he was listed in the Marlins' initial starting nine. However, it turns out he is not ready to play just yet. Derek Dietrich will get the start at first base.

Realmuto (wrist) is back in the lineup Wednesday against Arizona, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto sat for two games after getting struck in the hand by a foul ball Sunday. He's not yet back behind the plate but is playing first base and batting third against the Diamondbacks.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Barnhart will get a breather for the day game after starting each of the past four games behind the plate. Curt Casali will get the nod at catcher, serving as the batterymate for Reds pitcher Luis Castillo.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Grandal returns to the bench Tuesday with left-hander Jon Lester taking the mound for the Cubs, leaving the catching duties to Austin Barnes. Grandal is slashing only .156/.182/.313 in 66 plate appearances over his last 18 games.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

Hedges started the last two games after being activated from the disabled list, but he will give way to A.J. Ellis on Tuesday night.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates, according to Tim Healey of Newsday.

Mesoraco started three of the last four games behind the plate, but he will not be back there Tuesday, as Kevin Plawecki gets the nod instead.

Realmuto (hand) is not in the lineup Tuesday for the second day in a row, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

Realmuto will need at least two days to rest and recover after being struck by a foul ball Sunday. Bryan Holaday will get a second straight start behind the plate Tuesday in Realmuto's absence.