MLB Player News

Contreras went 1-for-2 with a homer, four RBI, a stolen base, two walks and a strikeout in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Brewers.

Contreras didn't appear in the last three games but was one of Atlanta's top contributors while starting behind the dish and batting ninth Sunday. The 24-year-old has had sporadic playing time since joining the major-league club, but he has three home runs over five games. While Travis d'Arnaud continues to serve as Atlanta's primary catcher, Contreras' strong results could lead to him remaining the No. 2 backstop once Manny Pina (wrist) is cleared to return.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Perez's strained left hamstring is on the "more severe side of things," suggesting that the catcher could be in store for a long-term stay on the injured list, Josh Rowntree of TribLive.com reports.

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette adds that Perez was spotted walking around the Pittsburgh clubhouse Sunday with the aid of crutches, which seemingly supports Cherington's comments about the veteran backstop being at risk of an extended absence. A clear timeline for Perez's return may not emerge until the results of his MRI are known, but Andrew Knapp is expected to be the first man up to step in as the Pirates' No. 1 catcher. Pittsburgh also called up Michael Perez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday to add depth behind the plate.

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base during Sunday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

The 33-year-old played at first base Sunday and reached three times in four plate appearances, and he also stole second base after walking during the eighth inning. It's the first stolen base since 2019 for Grandal, so he shouldn't be expected to run much more this year, if at all. The multi-hit game was Grandal's first of the campaign and will perhaps get his bat going after a slow start.

Higashioka is out of the lineup for the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Rangers.

As expected, Higashioka will take a seat for the nightcap after catching all nine innings and going 0-for-2 at the plate in the Yankees' 2-1 win in the afternoon contest. Jose Trevino will catch for starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery in Game 2.

Garver is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Garver will take a seat for Game 2 after going 2-for-4 with two doubles and a strikeout during the matinee. Jonah Heim will work behind the plate in the nightcap and bat cleanup.

McCann is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

McCann went 0-for-2 during the 3-2 loss in Game 1, and it's not a surprise he won't be starting both ends of the twin bill. Tomas Nido will start behind the plate and bat ninth in the nightcap.

Realmuto is out of the lineup for the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Mets, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts while catching all nine innings of the Phillies' 3-2 win over the Mets in the afternoon game. He'll get some rest for the nightcap, paving the way for Garrett Stubbs to pick up a start behind the dish.

Stallings is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at San Diego, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Stallings started the past two games and will head to the bench for the series finale Sunday afternoon. Payton Henry will start at catcher in his place.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ruiz started the past three games and will sit for Sunday's day game. Riley Adams will work behind the plate in his place, forming a battery with Erick Fedde.

Bart is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Bart started the past two games and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale. He went 3-for-4 against the Nationals on April 29 but is otherwise hitless in his past 12 games. Curt Casali will work behind the plate and bat ninth in his place.