MLB Player News

Contreras (foot) is progressing well in his recovery and could return from the injured list when first eligible Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Chicago manager Joe Maddon said it's "not impossible" that Contreras will return Wednesday in San Francisco, though nothing is official at this point. The catcher did take batting practice Saturday, which is an encouraging sign as he works his way back from a right foot strain. Victor Caratini and Martin Maldonado will continue to share catching duties while Contreras is out.

Caratini is not in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Padres.

Martin Maldonado will receive his second start of the series, with Caratini sandwiching in a start in Saturday's contest. The two should continue to split catching duties while Willson Contreras (foot) is out, though Caratini's stronger offensive production (.798 OPS, versus .641 for Maldonado) figures to afford him a slight edge in playing time.

Maldonado is starting at catcher and batting eighth in Sunday's game against the Padres.

Victor Caratini started behind the plate Saturday, but Maldonado will spell him Sunday in what will be his third start with his new team. Regular catcher Willson Contreras (foot) is still on the injured list, though he took batting practice Saturday. Caratini and Maldonado will continue to split duties behind the plate for however long Contreras remains out, with Caratini a favorite to receive an edge in playing time.

Realmuto is not in the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.

Realmuto will head to the bench with the team participating in a day game after a night game. Andrew Knapp will catch and bat eighth in his place.

Garver is not in Sunday's lineup against the A's.

Garver is hitting .333 with five home runs and 10 strikeouts in 10 games this month. Jason Castro will start behind the dish and hit ninth.

Jansen is not in Sunday's lineup against the Tigers.

He has rounded into form, hitting .296 with four home runs in 15 games this month. The only knock on Jansen's production over that time is the fact that he has walked just once in 54 at-bats. Luke Maile will start behind the dish, hitting ninth.

McCann went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Rays.

McCann's solo shot in the ninth inning saved Lucas Giolito from a loss and sent the game into extras. The catcher started the second half on a 2-for-23 (.087) run, dropping his batting average below .300 for the first time since April 19. That signaled his breakout season was not going to continue. A regression to the mean may still happen for the 29-year-old, but McCann is expected to be in the lineup most days as catcher or designated hitter and continue to get regular at-bats.

Narvaez went 3-for-4 with an RBI single and a run scored in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Angels.

Narvaez was in the thick of the Mariners' offense, accounting for over half of the team's hits in the game. He scored the opening run on a Dee Gordon sacrifice fly in the second inning, then added the run-scoring single in the third inning, plating J.P. Crawford. Narvaez's breakout year continues, with the catcher hitting .300/.370/.498 for the season, adding 16 homers, 39 RBI and 47 runs scored. He has recorded three or more hits in three of his last eight games.

Garver went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks Saturday against the Athletics.

Garver took Brett Anderson deep to lead off the bottom half of the first inning, recording his 17th home run of the season. He's started six of eight games since the All-Star break, smacking four home runs in that span. The 28-year-old is in the midst of a breakout campaign, hitting .294/.378/.638 across 201 plate appearances.

Leon went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit home run Saturday against the Orioles.

Leon took Stevie Wilkerson deep in the ninth inning to record his third home run of the season. He took advantage of a position player on the mound, cranking a 55 mph fastball out to center field. Leon is firmly behind Christian Vazquez on the depth chart and is hitting just .207/.276/.306 across 126 plate appearances this season.