MLB Player News

Contreras (knee) could return Friday as the designated hitter for the upcoming series against the White Sox and Twins, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Contreras has already missed the minimum 10 days with a sprained right knee, but it doesn't sound as though he'll have to miss too much more time. He may not be ready to catch yet, but as long as the Cubs trust him to run the bases, he could return to the roster as an offense-only player until his knee fully heals.

Trevino will start at catcher and bat ninth Monday against the Red Sox.

Trevino had been in line to receive Monday off, but he was a late addition to the lineup after No. 1 catcher Jonah Heim was scratched due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Considering that the Rangers have placed four players on the COVID-19 injured list within the past four days, Heim could be a candidate to move to the IL ahead of Texas' three-game series in Cleveland that begins Tuesday. If that's the case, Trevino would be in store for at least a short-term run as Texas' top backstop.

Heim was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against Boston due to health and safety protocols, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's unclear if Heim has tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone who has, or if he's merely feeling sick and the team scratched him just to be safe. Jose Trevino will take over behind the plate in his absence.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Though Vazquez caught each of the Red Sox's last three games, he had the benefit of a de facto off day Sunday, when Boston's series finale with Texas was postponed due to the expected impact of Hurricane Henri. Vazquez will still get another day to rest up, allowing Kevin Plawecki to work in a battery with starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi on Monday.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and a steal in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Padres.

Realmuto slammed a two-run homer off Miguel Diaz in the seventh inning, extending the Phillies' lead to six runs. In addition, he stole second base after hitting a single to lead off the second inning. It was the first time this season that he homered and stole a base in the same game. He is batting .286 with three long balls and 14 RBI over his last 17 games. On the season, the catcher is slashing .262/.347/.451 with 14 home runs, 56 RBI, 50 runs and eight steals in 405 plate appearances.

Nelson (hand) has gone 1-for-8 with a double and six strikeouts in his two games since rejoining the High-A Dayton lineup Thursday.

Nelson went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs in his High-A debut Aug. 14 before exiting the contest after being struck on the left hand by a pitch in his final plate appearance. After getting four days off to recuperate, Nelson checked back into the lineup and looks set to serve as Dayton's No. 1 catcher for the remainder of the campaign.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Haase (abdomen) is "doing quite well" and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Toledo, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The Tigers plan to have Haase catch Tigers starter Matthew Boyd (triceps) on Tuesday in the first of what's expected to be two or three rehab games for Detroit's top backstop. Haase looks on track to make his return from the 10-day injured list when Detroit begins its homestand Friday with a three-game series versus the Blue Jays.

Jansen (hamstring) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen hasn't progressed as quickly as expected from the right hamstring strain he sustained July 21, but just over a month later, he's finally reached the final phase of his recovery program. Neither Reese McGuire nor Alejandro Kirk has ran away with the No. 1 catching job while Jansen has been out, but that doesn't mean that the 26-year-old will have a clear path to the top gig once he returns. Though Jansen is valued for his defense, his 62 wRC+ on the season places him 49th among the 58 catchers who have logged at least 100 plate appearances.

Perez went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Sunday's 3-0 loss to St. Louis.

He's hitless in his last 19 at-bats dating back to Aug. 2. Perez continues to make two or three weekly starts, but he's cooled off since hitting a ninth-inning home run on Aug. 1. Interestingly, 15 of Perez's 23 hits have come in consecutive games, giving him a glimmer of streaming potential on rare occasions. His overall slash line of .153/.230/.347 (prior to Sunday) illustrates his offensive shortcomings, however.

Mejia went 2-for-4 with a three-run double in Sunday's 9-0 win over the White Sox.

Mejia drilled a clutch three-run double in the sixth inning to give the Rays a huge 6-0 lead. It was just his third extra-base hit this month and his first RBI since Aug. 10. He's sporting a .752 OPS with 28 RBI through 218 plate appearances.