MLB Player News

Caratini started at catcher and batted sixth in Sunday's game against the Brewers.

With Willson Contreras moving to the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a strained hamstring, Caratini looks poised to earn a multi-week run as the team's top backstop. The Cubs recalled Taylor Davis from Triple-A Iowa for extra reinforcement behind the dish, but he's not a serious threat to poach many starts from Caratini. Despite seeing somewhat inconsistent playing time this season, Caratini has delivered a strong .271/.360/.458 slash line with five home runs and 21 RBI in 136 plate appearances. He'll be a must-roster player in NL-only leagues and mixed formats that start two catchers and may even warrant consideration in single-catcher leagues as well.

Smith is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus San Diego, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Smith started the last four games behind the plate so it's no real surprise to see him receive the day off for the series finale. The 24-year-old is slashing .327/.382/.816 with six home runs, six doubles and 19 RBI through his first 16 major-league games. Russell Martin will start at catcher Sunday for Los Angeles.

Garver is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Garver will take a seat after starting at catcher in Saturday's 11-3 win and going 0-for-4 with a walk and run scored while occupying the leadoff spot. Jason Castro will step in behind the plate for the third time in four games as manager Rocco Baldelli continues to run a timeshare between the two backstops.

Nido will start at catcher and bat eighth Sunday against the Pirates, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

He'll be making just his fifth start since the All-Star break with top backstop Wilson Ramos getting a day off after handling catching duties each of the past four days. Nido offers a defensive upgrade from Ramos, but his .602 OPS on the season renders him a rather unappealing DFS play.

Plawecki is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Plawecki was behind the plate in Saturday's 7-2 win, finishing 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored while also reaching base when he was hit by a pitch. The backstop was making just his fifth start of the second half and continues to serve as the clear No. 2 catcher behind Roberto Perez, who checks back into the starting nine for Sunday's series finale.

Davis was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Davis rejoins the Cubs on Sunday with the team placing Willson Contreras on the injured list with a hamstring strain. The 29-year-old should serve as the backup to Victor Caratini behind the plate while Contreras remains sidelined.

Contreras was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a right hamstring strain.

Contreras suffered the injury when running to first base Sunday and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the issue, but Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com notes that even slight hamstring strains often cost players a minimum of three weeks. Taylor Davis was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to bolster the Cubs' depth at catcher, with Victor Caratini primed to take over the starting role in the meantime.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Diaz is 4-for-10 with one double and one RBI in his last three games, but he'll remain on the bench Sunday for the second straight contest. The 28-year-old has struggled overall since the All-Star break with a .449 OPS. Jacob Stallings receives another start behind the plate, batting eighth.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-2 with three walks, a run and an RBI in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Marlins.

D'Arnaud didn't take long to push his on-base streak to 10 games, during which he has hit .368 while compiling four home runs, nine runs and 17 RBI. His huge spike in performance has now locked d'Arnaud in as the Rays' clear top catcher over Mike Zunino, and manager Kevin Cash hasn't hesitated to keep d'Arnaud in the lineup at first base or designated hitter on days when he'll get a break behind the plate. D'Arnaud will man the DH spot in Sunday's series finale and bat cleanup, per Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network.

Murphy (knee) is dealing with some swelling but won't have to undergo surgery, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

Murphy underwent surgery to address a torn meniscus in May and reinjured the same knee earlier this week, but he didnt severely aggravate that injury and just has some swelling. The 24-year-old will rehab in Arizona and could return to game action by the end of August.