MLB Player News

Plawecki went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 16-7 win over the White Sox.

The Red Sox were already up 14-7 when Plawecki, who entered the game an inning earlier, piled on with his first home run of the season. He hasn't had the kind of success he experienced during his first two seasons with Boston, which was due to unsustainable BABIPs, but the Red Sox value Plawecki's work with the staff and will live with whatever value he provides with bat in hand.

Contreras went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Reds.

The Cubs lost 20-5, and Contreras was replaced by P.J. Higgins in the eighth inning of the blowout, but he was still able to do a little damage. The Chicago backstop is up to six home runs on the season, with half of those coming in his past 12 games. Contreras also has a solid .869 OPS, as he's been a good fantasy contributor despite some of Chicago's struggles as a team.

Herrera was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Herrera received his first taste of the big leagues this week with Yadier Molina (personal) on the bereavement list, though he didn't actually make his MLB debut. Molina is back on the active roster Thursday, prompting Herrera's return to Triple-A.

Knizner is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Milwaukee, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Knizner started the past three games with Yadier Molina (personal) on the bereavement list, but Molina is back with the team for Thursday's contest. Knizner has a solid .269/.364/.358 slash line for a backup catcher and should continue to see semi-regular playing time behind Molina.

Hedges isn't starting Thursday against the Tigers.

Hedges started in the last two games and went 0-for-5 with an RBI, a walk and a strikeouts. Luke Maile will take over behind the dish and bat ninth Thursday.

Contreras (hamstring) is starting behind the dish and batting second Thursday against the Reds.

He missed four games in a row with a strained hamstring, but it was apparently a very minor strain. Contreras is hitting .264/.409/.491 with three home runs and one steal in 17 games this month.

Huff started at first base and went 1-for-4 with an infield single in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Angels.

Huff filled in for a slumping Nathaniel Lowe, who is batting .132 over the last 22 games and has a season-long OPS+ of 82. Normally a catcher, Huff did make 59 starts at first base in the minors between 2018-21. The move makes sense on paper; Huff has hit safely in all seven games in which he's started in the majors this season, going 11-for-27 (.407). If he can handle the assignment defensively -- no mistakes in nine chances Wednesday -- the Rangers can get a better bat in the lineup while Lowe figures out the issues he's having at the plate.

Garver went 1-for-4 with a home run and an additional RBI in a 7-2 win against the Angels on Wednesday.

Garver knocked in Texas' first run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and followed with a solo shot to left field in the fourth. The veteran has hit a homer in each of his past three games, raising his total to six long balls on the season. He's reached base safely in 14 straight contests, slashing .283/.328/.623 with five home runs and eight RBI over that stretch.

Contreras went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and two runs in the win over the Phillies on Wednesday.

Contreras took Ranger Suarez deep for a solo shot in his first at-bat in the bottom of the second frame before later walking twice and coming around to score again. The homer was his seventh of the campaign and third in his last four contests. Over the past four games, the 24-year-old has produced a .462 average with three homers, four RBI and five runs. He's now batting .273 with seven home runs, 11 RBI, 12 runs and a stolen base over 44 at-bats in 13 games in 2022. Contreras has recently transitioned into an everyday role, making him a very intriguing fantasy option at catcher moving forward.

Trevino is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Trevino is 9-for-25 with two home runs, two walks, seven RBI and four runs over his past eight contests and will receive Wednesday off. Kyle Higashioka will take over behind the plate in the series finale versus Baltimore.