MLB Player News

Wallach went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Monday's loss to the Cubs.

The catcher took Yu Darvish deep in the fourth inning for his first homer of the year. Jorge Alfaro (chest) is banged up at the moment, so Wallach could see consistent at-bats in the short term. He's taken advantage of his opportunities so far, slashing .333/.462/.524 in eight games, but the 27-year-old's .619 career OPS indicates the bottom could drop out in a hurry.

Stallings isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

The Pirates made liberal use of No. 2 catcher Elias Diaz last season, but Stallings hasn't been extended the same opportunity while Diaz has been stuck on the injured list all season while working back from an illness. He'll remain on the bench for the third straight game while top backstop Francisco Cervelli sticks in the lineup. Stallings has drawn just two starts through the PIrates' first 15 contests.

Bart is seeing a hand specialist Tuesday after being hit by a pitch Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bart appeared to be in quite some pain following the incident. The Giants are expected to provide an update on the nature and severity of the injury following his visit to the specialist.

Garver is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Garver recorded multiple hits in three consecutive starts but couldn't keep the streak going when he received the leadoff assignment in Monday's 5-3 loss. He went 0-for-4 while striking out twice and now finds himself back on the bench with Jason Castro stepping in behind the dish. The Twins place a premium on the defensive value Castro provides, but Garver should continue to garner at least a couple starts per week thanks to the vast upgrade he provides with the bat in addition to the strides he's made as a game caller since 2018.

Leon's contract was purchased by the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Leon lost the backup catcher job to Blake Swihart this spring, but the Red Sox have already changed plans in an attempt to help their struggling pitching staff. Leon could start right away, as he's Tuesday's starter Chris Sale's preferred backstop.

Rortvedt is hitting .321 with a home run and a .977 OPS through eight games at High-A Fort Myers.

The 21-year-old 2016 second-round draft pick is a bit old for his level, but he could be a player to watch given Minnesota's lack of catching prospects in the minors. Rortvedt hit just .260 with five home runs and a .745 OPS between Low-A and High-A last season. However, he's show a good eye at the plate with a 10.7 walk rate and a 14.8 percent strikeout rate last season.

Garver started at catcher and batted leadoff in Monday's loss to Toronto. He went 0-for-4 after starting the season 11-for-19 with three home runs in his previous six games.

Garver became just the third catcher in Twins history to bat leadoff and the first since Butch Wynegar on Aug. 23, 1980. Garver's hot start at the plate looks set to win him more playing time. However, his move to the leadoff role likely says less about him as a hitter and more about how manager Rocco Baldelli will likely disregard traditional notions about the leadoff role and batting order.

Bart exited Monday's minor-league game after being struck by a pitch near his wrist, play-by-play announcer for the San Jose Giants, Joe Ritzo, reports.

Bart looked to get hit near his wrist and was clearly in pain immediately after, although the extent of the damage is not yet known. He'll be considered day-to-day and is likely headed for X-rays.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and three RBI in Monday's 7-2 win over the Marlins.

Contreras has been on fire to begin the season, as he now has six home runs, 12 RBI and a 1.300 OPS through 15 games. The 26-year-old catcher had just 10 home runs and 54 RBI in a down 2018 campaign, and he seems poised to easily surpass those numbers in 2019 if he stays healthy.

Caratini underwent successful surgery on his fractured left hamate bone Monday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Caratini suffered the injury during Thursday's game against the Pirates and is expected to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks. Taylor Davis will serve as the Cubs' backup catcher in the meantime.