MLB Player News

Hedges went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 9-6 win over Texas.

The catcher got Cleveland on the board with his third-inning solo shot. Hedges has gone yard twice in his last six games, and he's up to 10 long balls on the year. He's added a .180/.219/.311 slash line with 31 RBI, 32 runs scored and a stolen base in 308 plate appearances. The 29-year-old has split time with Roberto Perez fairly evenly since mid-September.

Mejia went 2-for-3 with a walk in a win over the Yankees on Friday and now has three multi-hit efforts in his last five starts.

The reserve backstop is hitting a sensational .438 (7-for-16) with two doubles, three RBI, three walks and three runs over that span, boosting his season slash line to a serviceable .256/.317/.415 across 272 plate appearances. Mejia has arguably been everything the Rays could have hoped for in a backup catcher when they acquired him in the Blake Snell trade with San Diego in December, as the 25-year-old has shown flashes of the offensive prowess he displayed at multiple minor-league stops in the Padres organization.

Trevino went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 9-6 loss to Cleveland.

Trevino launched his fifth homer of the season in the ninth inning. He began the season as Texas' starting catcher but eventually ceded the spot to Jonah Heim.

Contreras, who is under team control through 2022, said he would "love to stay here" when asked about the possibility of a contract extension this offseason, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Now the team's longest-tenured player following midseason trades of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez, Contreras said he would like to stick around in Chicago as the club rebuilds, though he admitted he'd like to see the organization approach that process aggressively before deciding on an extension. "I'm not sure how long it's going to take," Contreras said. "I wish I could have a timeframe for that rebuild, but I'm here to help this team to win in as many ways as I can." The 29-year-old catcher has a .778 OPS and 21 home runs this season, and he should remain among the top fantasy options at the position next year at age 30.

Nola (thumb) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Nola's shift to the 60-day IL is simply procedural since the catcher will require season-ending thumb surgery. Victor Caratini will continue to serve as the primary catcher during the final series of the regular season, while Friday's transaction helps to make room for right-hander Pedro Avila, whose contract was selected from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

Stassi isn't starting Friday against the Mariners.

Stassi went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Thursday and will head back to the bench as he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Kurt Suzuki will start at catcher and bat cleanup.

Smith isn't starting Friday's game against Milwaukee, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith had started each of the last three games, and he went 1-for-11 with a run, an RBI and a walk. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Stallings isn't starting Friday's game against the Reds.

Stallings has gone 3-for-8 with a run and a strikeout across his last two appearances, and he'll head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Michael Perez will start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Perez will sit Friday against the Rangers.

Perez and Austin Hedges have alternated starts behind the plate for the last eight games. Hedges will catch Eli Morgan on Friday, but Perez should return to the lineup Saturday if the pattern continues.

Contreras isn't starting Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras returned to the lineup two games ago and has gone 4-for-8 with two doubles, four RBI and two runs since. Erick Castillo will start behind the dish and bat eighth.