MLB Player News

Mejia went 1-for-2 with an RBI sacrifice fly and a walk in a win over the Marlins on Friday.

The backup backstop didn't have to wait long to draw his first start of the season, and his ninth-inning sac fly gave the Rays some valuable breathing room by extending their lead to two runs. The switch-hitting Mejia should see his fair share of starts against right-handed pitching this season and could potentially carve out a solid swath of playing time if he proves productive at the plate.

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

It's not every day that a catcher bats leadoff, but Contreras was already batting second for the Cubs, and he'll now move up a spot with Ian Happ out of Saturday's lineup. Contreras doesn't offer a ton of speed atop the lineup, though he's good at getting on base and could score a handful of runs if the Chicago bats behind him are able to get going after a sluggish season opener Thursday.

Vazquez is not in Saturday's lineup against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish and bat ninth. Vazquez went 0-for-2 with a walk in Boston's opener Friday.

Smith went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 11-6 win over the Rockies.

Making his first start of the season, Smith took full advantage of Coors Field's expansive outfield. Austin Barnes injured his hand Opening Day but is still expected to be back behind the plate Saturday, and the only thing standing between Smith and a huge 2021 campaign might be the fact that he's stuck in a timeshare.

Murphy was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Astros with a right wrist contusion.

He was hit on the wrist by a pitch in Thursday's game. Aramis Garcia will enter the lineup at catcher and will bat ninth.

Murphy is not in the lineup Friday against the Giants.

Murphy started Thursday's season opener but will cede the catcher spot to Luis Torrens in the second game of the season. It may take some time to determine the exact playing-time breakdown between those two, though the fact that Murphy is already sitting may indicate a fairly even split.

Caratini is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The 27-year-old received the start Opening Day with Austin Nola (finger) sidelined, and Caratini went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one strikeout. Luis Campusano will catch for lefty Blake Snell on Friday.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts Opening Day and will head to the bench for Friday's contest. Dom Nunez will start behind the plate and bat eighth in the second game of the season.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double in Thursday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.

Catchers rarely hit in the cleanup spot, but Realmuto, arguably baseball's biggest offensive threat at his position, appears comfortable hitting behind Bryce Harper in the four hole. A thumb injury delayed Realmuto's spring debut and limited him to 18 exhibition plate appearances, but he looked up to game speed and primed for a productive season. Realmuto is paid like MLB's best catcher, and Opening Day suggested he's fully prepared to justify the five-year deal.

Contreras went 0-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's 5-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

It was a productive, albeit hitless, performance for Contreras, who reached base on an error and a fielder's choice before finishing the contest with a sacrifice fly. The catcher has been an inconsistent hitter the last few years, excelling in 2017 and 2019 but struggling in 2018 and 2020. Manager David Ross clearly has faith in his ability to bounce back in 2021 as Contreras hit second in Thursday's order. The 28-year-old figures to start the majority of Chicago's games largely because his backups, Tony Wolters and Austin Romine (knee), lack offensive upside.