MLB Player News

Contreras is starting at catcher and batting first in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Dodgers.

The Cubs are struggling at just 9-15, so manager David Ross will mix things up and bat Contreras leadoff for the first time this season. The catcher did bat first 34 times last year, so he has some experience in the role. Contreras has a .236/.337/.403 slash line so far in 2022.

Moreno went 4-for-5 with a double and four RBI for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday against Durham.

The 22-year-old catching prospect hasn't shown a lot of power yet this season -- he has five extra-base hits through 17 games for Buffalo, all doubles -- but otherwise Moreno is doing everything expected of him at the plate, slashing .313/.353/.391 on the year with 15 RBI. The Blue Jays aren't in a rush to promote him, but he still seems likely to make his big-league debut at some point over the summer.

Herrera started at catcher for the injured Carson Kelly (abdomen) and went 1-for-2 in Friday's 4-1 win over Colorado.

Kelly was a late scratch but was not placed on the injury list. Herrera, whose .120 batting average is slightly better than Kelly's .105 mark, will likely see an uptick in playing time for however long Kelly is out.

Smith isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith started in the last three games and went 2-for-10 with two RBI, a run, two walks and three strikeouts. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish and bat eighth in Saturday's matinee.

Mejia went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored Friday against the Mariners.

Mejia was in the lineup for the first time since being activated from the COVID-19 list Thursday, having missed two weeks of action. He showed no signs of rust, knocking a single and coming around to score in his first plate appearance. Though Mejia has started only seven games this season due to his lengthy absence, he has at least one hit in five of those contests.

Sanchez isn't starting Saturday's game against Oakland.

Sanchez started in the last four games and went 4-for-13 with two doubles, a run, a walk and three strikeouts. Ryan Jeffers will take over behind the dish and bat seventh.

Manager Scott Servais said Friday that Murphy (shoulder) will be out for a while, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Murphy was removed from Friday's loss to the Rays after sustaining a dislocated left shoulder, and the backstop will presumably land on the injured list following Servais' update. Cal Raleigh is a likely candidate to rejoin the major-league club as catching depth behind Luis Torrens.

Maldonado went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Friday against the Tigers.

Maldonado entered Friday's game hitless in his last 12 at-bats -- spanning five games -- while striking out at a 50 percent clip. However, he ended that dreadful stretch with a solo home run in the second inning to record his second long ball of the season. Maldonado is hitting just .088/.209/.211, though he remains Houston's primary catcher.

Murphy left Saturday's game against the Rays with a dislocated left shoulder.

He was recently dealing with neck spasms, and now he will presumably need a stint on the injured list. Luis Torrens replaced him behind the dish. Cal Raleigh could be summoned from Triple-A if Murphy is indeed set for an extended absence.

Murphy (neck) is starting at catcher and batting ninth Friday against the Rays.

The 31-year-old was scratched from Thursday's lineup with neck spasms, but his absence will be limited to only one game. Murphy has a .946 OPS for the season but is 0-for-8 with three walks and six strikeouts across his last six contests.