MLB Player News

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer, two runs and a walk during a 10-4 victory over the Pirates on Saturday.

The catcher smashed his home run in the first, and the Cubs were off and running. Chicago scored seven runs in the first inning, turning this one into a blowout early. Contreras is slashing .286/.382/.565 with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, 43 runs and one steal in 306 plate appearances this season.

Thaiss is not starting Saturday against Seattle.

Thaiss started four of the six previous games but will sit Saturday, likely due to the Mariners starting lefty Wade LeBlanc. If Thaiss is indeed in a platoon role, he could find himself on the bench frequently over the next few days, with the Angels facing three lefties in their next five contests. David Fletcher will start at third base Saturday, with Luis Rengifo at second.

Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against San Francisco.

Grandal is hitting just .176 over his last 24 games, though he's walked enough and shown enough power to have a respectable .749 OPS over that stretch. Manny Pina will take over behind the plate Saturday.

Realmuto was reinstated from the paternity list Saturday.

Realmuto wound up missing just a single game to start the second half. He finished the first half with a solid .273/.328/.438 slash line, slightly behind his numbers from the last two seasons despite a big upgrade in his home park. Rob Brantly was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

McCann is out of the lineup Saturday against the Athletics.

Zack Collins will get the start behind the plate and bat ninth against righty Chris Bassitt. McCann's rare day off will come after starting 25 of the last 26 games. The catcher is 8-for-28 with three RBI, two runs and 10 strikeouts over his last seven starts. The 29-year old has experienced great success on the road this season with an impressive .342/.397/.532 slash line, and he'll look to continue that dominance during the White Sox's 10-game road trip.

Vazquez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-1 win over the Dodgers.

Vazquez swatted his fifth homer in the last eight games and has 15 for the season. That's five more home runs than he had in 291 career MLB games over his first four seasons. He's slashing .352/.359/.682 with eight homers and 20 RBI over his last 21 games.

Jansen is out of the lineup versus the Yankees on Saturday.

After eight consecutive starts behind the dish, Jansen will get the day off, with Luke Maile getting the nod at catcher instead. Jansen, who struggled for most of the year in regards to his offensive production, is slashing .367/.367/.933 with four home runs and seven RBI in eight games this month. He will receive a much-needed breather and will look to stay hot upon his return to the lineup Sunday versus the Yankees.

Hedges was placed on the bereavement list prior to Friday's game against the Braves, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

He must miss a minimum of three games and a maximum of seven games. Austin Allen was recalled from Triple-A to assume the backup catcher duties in the short term. Francisco Mejia will start at catcher and hit sixth Friday.

Thole was traded from the Dodgers to the Angels on Friday along with Adam McCreery in exchange for cash considerations.

The Angels need another catcher with Jonathan Lucroy out with a concussion and a broken nose and Kevan Smith dealing with a sprained hand. Thole will report to Triple-A Salt Lake, indicating that Smith is likely ready to go. Thole is good enough to fill in at the position if called upon, but nothing about the eight-year veteran's .242/.313/.306 career slash line suggests he'll be a fantasy asset if he gets a chance with the Angels.

Realmuto will return from the paternity list Saturday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto got to spend some time with his wife and newborn daughter at the end of the All-Star break, so he'll be away from the team for just a single game. His return will push Andrew Knapp back to the bench and will likely send Rob Brantly back to the minors.