Willson Contreras likely headed to disabled list after pulling hamstring - MLB

Cubs catcher Willson Contreras pulled his right hamstring running out a ground out in the top of the eighth inning of Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to the Giants. Manager Joe Maddon says Contreras is likely headed to the disabled list, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports. The team will know more after Contreras undergoes an MRI.

Contreras, 25, finished 0-for-3 with a walk on the afternoon. He’s hitting .274/.342/.519 with 21 home runs and 70 RBI in 378 plate appearances this season.

Alex Avila, acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline, will handle most of the playing time behind the plate while Contreras is out. The Cubs will also likely recall Victor Caratini from Triple-A Iowa to serve as Avila’s back-up.

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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.