MLB Player News

Contreras (back) is starting at first base and batting second Friday against the Tigers, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Contreras' back tightened up on him Tuesday, and he was out of the lineup Wednesday against the Twins ahead of Thursday's off day. Contreras has been one of baseball's best hitters over the last couple weeks, as he's slashing .378/.500/.676 with three home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs scored over the last 15 days.

Raleigh went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout in Thursday's loss to the Padres.

Raleigh is enduring a tough start to the season with just two homers and a .539 OPS through his first 20 games. However, he seems to be seeing the ball better of late with five hits over his last 17 at-bats. He's hitting .294 with a .686 OPS over that stretch, and while it's a small sample size, he might be on the verge of turning things around. The star catcher, who blasted 60 homers last season, is simply too good of a hitter to continue struggling as much as he has in the first three weeks of the season.

Teel (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, MLB.com reports.

It was previously reported that Teel was nearing a rehab assignment, but there is now a clearer timeline. He's expected to return in early May, suggesting he'll appear in several minor-league games before being activated. The last remaining part of Teel's recovery program is running at full speed.

Perez went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Thursday's 10-9 loss to the Tigers.

The veteran catcher delivered in a big way, blasting a three-run homer in the seventh inning off Tyler Holton to extend Kansas City's lead. The blast was Perez's third of the season and ended up being a much-needed offensive breakout. Entering Thursday, Perez was slashing .149/.208/.269 with two homers, two rbi and 4:13 BB:K across 72 plate appearances, making this performance an encouraging sign for the 35-year-old.

Dingler went 2-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run in Thursday's 10-9 win over the Royals.

Dingler connected on his fourth home run of the season in the fifth inning as he continued his strong start to the year. The Detroit catcher is slashing .283/.367/.566 with 14 RBI through 16 games. Dingler's .933 OPS would easily be a new career best and is nearly 200 points higher than the .752 OPS he posted in the regular season last year. The 27-year-old is building on his strong 2025 campaign and has established himself as a reliable fantasy option behind the plate.

Fermin (head) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Mariners.

Fermin had to depart Wednesday's contest after taking a foul tip to the mask. Per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune, Fermin does not have concussion symptoms and expects to be available off the bench Thursday, though the Padres' team doctor will have the final say. Luis Campusano is catching and batting eighth for San Diego in Thursday's series finale.

The Orioles optioned Handley to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Handley arrived in the majors Saturday to provide insurance behind the plate after Adley Rutschman (ankle) landed on the IL, but the former will now return to the minors without playing a game for the O's. Sam Huff will now take over the backup catching jobCameron Foster was recalled from Norfolk in a corresponding move.

Wynns will start at catcher and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Rangers.

With Shea Langeliers handling one of the heavier workloads among all catchers this season, Wynns has seen sparse action through the first three weeks of the campaign. Wynns will be included in the starting nine Thursday for just the fifth time in the Athletics' first 19 contests.

Naylor is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles.

It's a routine day off for Naylor, who started at catcher the previous two contests. Austin Hedges will be behind the dish and bat eighth Thursday as the Guardians open up a homestand.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Jansen will receive a breather for Thursday's matinee game after he started behind the dish both of the previous two nights. Kyle Higashioka will step in at catcher and form a battery with starting pitcher Jack Leiter in the series finale.