MLB Player News

Stallings will start at catcher and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Stallings will pick up his fourth start in five games and should continue serving as the Rockies' primary option behind the plate until Elias Diaz (calf) returns from the 10-day injured list. A former Gold Glove winner who's valued mainly for his defensive contributions, Stallings has been a surprising performer with the bat during his first season in Colorado, slashing .296/.375/.449 over 113 plate appearances thus far.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Grandal will rest for the Sunday afternoon game after he went 2-for-4 with an RBI while catching eight innings of Saturday's 16-4 loss. Jason Delay will step in for Grandal behind the plate.

Langeliers is out of the lineup for the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Twins.

Langeliers will get a breather for the early game of the twin bill as Kyle McCann draws the starting nod behind the dish. Expect Langeliers to check back into the lineup as the Athletics' starting catcher for the nightcap.

Caratini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Caratini had started behind the plate each of the past five games, but he'll be back on the bench for the series finale now that top backstop Yainer Diaz has been cleared to resume catching duties. Diaz had missed three straight games with a sore index finger before returning to the lineup Friday and Saturday as the Astros' designated hitter.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

He'll get a breather for the series finale after he had started at catcher in each of the Reds' previous four games. Luke Maile will spell Stephenson behind the plate.

Perez (knee) is in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Perez is battling a right knee sprain, but it's said to be relatively minor and he will tough it out Sunday as the designated hitter. It's uncertain when he may return to catching duties. The team recalled Austin Nola on Saturday and Nola's presence on the roster affords Perez and the Royals some time to get him right before he slots back in behind the plate.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Contreras (forearm) is likely to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with either Triple-A Memphis or Double-A Springfield, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras reached a meaningful milestone in his recovery from surgery to repair a fractured left forearm by taking batting practice earlier in the weekend, and with the veteran backstop apparently coming out of the workout without any renewed soreness, he looks like he's ready for game action. Because he's been on the shelf since May 8, Contreras could stay on his minor-league rehab assignment throughout the week before potentially returning from the 10-day injured list before the end of June. Once Contreras is activated, he should reclaim the No. 1 catcher's role from Ivan Herrera.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Alvarez will get a breather for the day game Sunday after he started behind the plate Friday and Saturday. Luis Torrens will step in as the Mets' starting catcher in place of Alvarez, who has gone 2-for-14 with two RBI through his first four starts since returning from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Fortes will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Fortes appeared to be taking control of the Marlins' No. 1 catching job earlier this month, but he's fallen back into more of a timeshare with Christian Bethancourt of late, with both backstops having now made two starts apiece over the last four contests. The downturn in playing time comes while Fortes has turned in a .120/.154/.120 slash line through 10 games in June.

Jansen is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Alejandro Kirk will take over behind the plate after Jansen started the first two games of the series. Jansen enjoyed a hot month of May, but his bat has gone cold to begin June; he's just 5-for-35 with two extra-base hits (both doubles) in 11 games so far this month.