MLB Player News

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday that he's informed Realmuto the catcher will receive more days off in 2027, Matt Gelb and Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic report.

He made 122 starts behind the plate in 2026 in his age-35 season. However, his downward trend offensively continued, as Realmuto slashed only .205/.283/.331 with 11 home runs across 467 plate appearances. Dombrowski didn't rule out acquiring an upgrade at backup catcher this offseason, which could allow manager Don Mattingly more confidence in giving Realmuto extra rest.

Smith will start at catcher and bat seventh Wednesday in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Brewers.

Smith has really been scuffling this postseason, going 1-for-23 with a 1:8 BB:K. As a result, he's been demoted to the bottom-third of the Dodgers lineup.

Bailey is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 2 of the ALCS against the Rays.

Bailey cranked a solo home run as part of a two-hit effort in the Guardians' Game 1 victory, but he will retreat to the bench in Game 2. Austin Hedges has been Parker Messick's personal catcher this season, and that will continue with Hedges getting the start Tuesday.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and two additional RBI in Monday's win against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS.

The 28-year-old continues to wield a hot bat this postseason, as he's batting .391 (9-for-23) with four walks, three homers, five RBI and four runs through six games. Contreras has entrenched himself as the Brewers' No. 3 hitter and has been the engine of the offense thus far in October.

Hicks is absent from the lineup Monday for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians.

Hicks went just 1-for-10 at the plate in the ALDS sweep of the Yankees. With the Guardians turning to southpaw Foster Griffin in Game 1, the left-handed-hitting Hicks will yield to Nick Fortes at catcher for the Rays.

Jansen underwent surgery Wednesday to remove a bone growth from his right hand, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

It's a minor operation that's not expected to affect Jansen's offseason workouts. Jansen slashed .203/.296/.381 with eight home runs over 67 games for the Rangers this season. As things stand currently, the 31-year-old Jansen seems likely to open the 2027 campaign as the Rangers' top catcher.

Bailey is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the ALDS against the White Sox.

Austin Hedges has caught Parker Messick regularly this season and will do so again in Game 4. Bailey is 3-for-9 with a 1:2 BB:K at the plate so far this postseason, while Hedges is hitless in two plate appearances.

The Astros anticipate that Schiavone could be ready for his major-league debut early on in the 2027 season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Schiavone had a breakout 2026 campaign, slashing .252/.391/.531 with 32 home runs and 32 stolen bases across three levels to become the first minor-league catcher in 45 years to complete a 30-30 season. The 23-year-old does have swing-and-miss concerns, having struck out at a 32 percent clip in 2026, but he has an interesting skill set for fantasy if he can make enough contact. Schiavone will likely open the 2027 season back at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he played his final nine games this season.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a walk, a solo homer and an additional run scored in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Padres on Tuesday.

The All-Star catcher did his part to try and eliminate the Friars with a three-hit showing, including a fourth-inning solo home run to start the scoring for Milwaukee. It's been a productive start to the playoffs for Contreras, who has gone 4-for-11 with two walks and two homers through three games. He should be back behind the plate again Wednesday as the Brewers look to punch their ticket to the NLCS.

Campusano is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 3 of the NLDS versus the Brewers.

Campusano started at designated hitter in Game 1 and at catcher in Game 2, reaching base twice in both contests. However, he will begin Tuesday's festivities on the bench. The Padres will roll out Ethan Salas at catcher and Gavin Sheets at DH as they try to stave off elimination.