MLB Player News

Contreras went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored and two RBI in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Rangers.

The catcher collected his first hits and RBI of the year in a losing cause. Contreras is coming off a disappointing 2018, losing 11 homers and over 100 points off his slugging percentage compared to 2017, but at 26 there's little reason to think he won't be able to rebound.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a two-run homer in Philadelphia's win over the Braves on Saturday.

Realmuto plated the Phillies' first run with a single before adding his first homer of the season in the fifth inning to break a 4-4 tie. The 28-year old also attempted to steal second base but was thrown out in the second inning.

D'Arnaud (elbow) caught nine innings during an exhibition game Saturday for the first time this spring, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

D'Arnaud had made appearances behind the plate throughout spring training but catching an exhibition game in full is a big step towards his return from the injured list. The 30-year-old is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery but appears to be nearing a return to regular-season action. Tomas Nido will continue to back up Wilson Ramos in his absence.

Vazquez will be on the bench Saturday against Seattle.

Vazquez started the first two games of the season, going 2-for-7 with a homer. Blake Swihart will take over behind the plate Saturday.

Narvaez is not starting Saturday against Boston, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Narvaez will sit for the second time in three games. Tom Murphy gets his first start of the season in his absence.

Hedges will sit Saturday against San Francisco.

Hedges so far seems to be firmly ahead of Francisco Mejia in the battle for playing time behind the plate in San Diego, as he got the call in the team's first two games. Mejia will enter the lineup in his place Saturday, batting eighth.

Realmuto will start at catcher and hit fifth in Saturday's game against the Braves.

Realmuto turned in a quiet Phillies debut in the season opener Thursday, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. The muted performance won't change Realmuto's outlook as a clear top-tier fantasy catcher, especially if manager Gabe Kapler commits to him as the club's No. 5 hitter. If health prevails, Realmuto should be able to cruise past last year's career-best total of 74 RBI while slotting behind a quartet of star hitters (Andrew McCutchen, Jean Segura, Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins) in the batting order.

Garver will start at catcher and hit eighth Saturday against the Indians, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Garver's .268/.335/.414 slash line over 335 plate appearances last season made him an above-average offensive catcher, but he graded out less favorably behind the plate. With the Twins making defense a greater priority among their backstops, pitch-framing stalwart Jason Castro is expected to maintain a spot ahead of Garver in the pecking order. Garver should still be in store for at least a couple starts per week.

Plawecki is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Plawecki wasn't behind the plate Thursday for the Tribe's Opening Day loss either, a firm indication he's viewed as the team's No. 2 backstop. Top option Roberto Perez hasn't shown much aptitude as a hitter over parts of six seasons in the big leagues, but the trust he's established with Cleveland's pitching staff should be enough to keep him ahead of Plawecki on the depth chart.

Narvaez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs overall in a loss to the Red Sox on Friday.

Narvaez had taken a seat in Thursday's home opener with lefty Chris Sale on the mound, but he introduced himself to the Mariners home crowd Friday with a 333-foot solo shot in the second inning off Nathan Eovaldi. The 27-year-old snapped a season-opening 0-for-9 slump with Friday's multi-hit effort.