MLB Player News

Contreras went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in a 9-0 win Saturday over the Brewers.

Contreras walked and scored in the first and singled and scored in the sixth. The two-time All-Star was plunked on a 3-0 pitch by Brandon Woodruff in the fourth, the second consecutive game he's been hit by a Milwaukee pitcher. Barring a surprise extension, the 30-year-old is expected to reach free agency for the first time following the season. Since making his debut in 2016, Contreras has been one of the best catchers in baseball and he will likely receive a healthy payday if he puts up numbers similar to his career .806 OPS this year.

Barnes went 2-for-3 with a home run in Saturday's loss against the Rockies.

The backstop made his season debut Saturday and took German Marquez deep in the top of the third inning. He was the only player to record multiple hits for the Dodgers in this game, but he's not expected to become the regular catcher for the Dodgers.

Murphy went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and two runs scored in a 4-3 win Saturday in Minnesota.

Murphy walked and scored in the third and hit a solo home run in the fifth off starter Sonny Gray. It was the season debut for Murphy, as Cal Raleigh started on Opening Day. Murphy is a defense-first catcher but has hit for power at the major-league level.

The Dodgers said there was nothing to Smith's scratch from Saturday's lineup and instead there was simply a mistake with the first lineup released, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief, as it seems like the Dodgers just wanted to get Austin Barnes involved to keep him sharp. We should expect Smith back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale in Colorado.

Maldonado will sit Saturday against the Angels.

Maldonado went 0-for-7 in the first two games of the season. He tied for third in starts behind the plate last season with 118 but will get his first off day of 2022 in just the third game of the year, with Jason Castro set to catch for Justin Verlander.

Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.

The catcher took Casey Mize deep in the top of the sixth inning for his first long ball of the year, scoring Jose Abreu in the process. In 93 games in 2021, Grandal blasted 23 homers and drove in 62 runs while producing a career-high .940 OPS. He'll look to replicate last season's success now in Year 3 with the White Sox.

Mejia went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, three RBI and two runs in the 5-3 win over the Orioles on Saturday.

The catcher opened the scoring in the contest, notching a single in the bottom of the second inning off of Jordan Lyles and driving in teammate Josh Lowe before later scoring on a Brett Phillips ground out. Mejia busted the game wide open in the following inning, blasting a 2-2 fastball from Lyles over the fence, once again scoring Lowe and putting the Rays up 5-2. The 26-year-old is expected to operate in a timeshare with Mike Zunino behind the plate this season, though Mejia is the better option against right-handers.

Ruiz isn't starting Saturday's game against the Mets, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Ruiz served as a starter in each of the first two games of the season and went 4-for-8 with a double. However, Riley Adams will start behind the dish and bat eighth Saturday.

Smith was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies for undisclosed reasons.

It's unclear if Smith is dealing with an injury or illness or if the Dodgers have simply decided to lighten his workload following an abbreviated spring training. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate and would step into a starting role if Smith needs to miss time.

Diaz will sit Saturday against the Dodgers.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's season opener. He'll get a rest day already in the second game of the year, with the Rockies seemingly wanting to ease him into the season following an abbreviated spring schedule. Dom Nunez takes over behind the plate.