MLB Player News

Caratini isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Caratini had a spot in the starting lineup over each of the first three games with the addition of the designated hitter in the National League, but he'll play a bench role in the team's first road contest Monday. Kyle Schwarber will serve as the designated hitter with David Bote entering the starting nine at third base, batting seventh.

Gomes isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Gomes made his season debut Sunday and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, but he'll sit once again in Monday's contest. Kurt Suzuki is starting at catcher, batting seventh.

Casali will start at catcher and bat ninth Monday against the Cubs.

Casali is picking up his fourth start behind the dish in as many days while top backstop Tucker Barnhart (personal) remains on the paternity list. He's slugged a home run and reached base at a .417 clip through the Reds' first three games, but Casali will lose nearly all of his fantasy value once Barnhart is back in the fold.

Hedges is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Hedges had started both of the previous two days, so he'll just be getting a breather in the series finale while Francisco Mejia gets a turn behind the dish. The 27-year-old is still looking for his first hit of the season after going 0-for-8 with four strikeouts in the Padres' three games to date.

Gallagher (illness) remains on Kansas City's COVID-19 injured list, but he's joined the team in Detroit ahead of Monday's series opener with the Tigers and is listed as a member of the taxi squad, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Gallagher's presence with the team suggests he's been fully cleared of the coronavirus after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, but he may need to complete a few more workouts before the Royals are comfortable activating him. Once he's officially added to the 30-man active roster, Gallagher should serve as the top backup to No. 1 catcher Salvador Perez.

Maldonado went 1-for-3 with two RBI in Sunday's 7-6 loss to Seattle.

Maldonado has been productive out of the nine-hole to start the season, driving in two runs in each of the first three games. A .219 career hitter entering the season, Maldonado is 5-for-11 overall and 4-for-5 with men in scoring position.

Contreras went 3-for-5 in Sunday's 14-1 win over the Mets.

All three of Contreras' hits were singles. The 22-year-old catcher continues to serve as an insurance option while Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud remain on the COVID-19 list.

Vazquez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Orioles.

Vazquez didn't appear in Saturday's contest, but he returned with another strong performance and smacked his first home run of the season. The 29-year-old has gone 4-for-7 with two RBI over his first two games this year.

Murphy went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Angels.

The Angels had cut the Athletics' lead to one run prior to Murphy's sixth-inning blast off reliever Noe Ramirez. The 25-year-old Murphy seems to be in line for the majority of the playing time behind the dish this year. In 2019, he managed four homers and eight RBI across 53 at bats in a limited role.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

Contreras was scorching hot in summer camp with six home runs, and now he has his first long ball that counts in 2020. The 28-year-old caught two of the Cubs' first three games, with an appearance at DH in between. That formula could be used the rest of the way to limit the wear and tear on Contreras behind the plate.