Impact Caratini will hit the bench for a second consecutive game as his playing time has dipped recently. Kyle Schwarber will serve as the designated hitter Wednesday with Cameron Maybin starting in left field.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
VICTOR CARATINI #17 - CATCHER - HOUSTON ASTROS
8 HR •
30 RBI •
.269 AVG
8 HR
30 RBI
.269 AVG
Not in lineup Wednesday Caratini isn't starting Wednesday against the Pirates.
On bench Tuesday Caratini is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.
Impact Caratini has been in the majority of the Cubs' lineups this season, getting the nod in 33 out of 55 games, but his role appears to be slipping of late. He's been on the bench in four of the last six games. A loss of playing time shouldn't be a big surprise given that he's hitting just .240/.331/.308 on the year. Willson Contreras will be the catcher Tuesday, with Jose Martinez serving as the designated hitter.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Mariners beat Astros 6-1, help Athletics claim AL West title
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lester cruises, Schwarber responds as Cubs top Pirates 5-0
Jon Lester scattered four hits over six innings and the Chicago Cubs inched closer to their first NL Central title since 2017 with a 5-0 win over the Pittsburgh PiratesSEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting again Monday Caratini will serve as the designated hitter and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Pirates.
Impact Caratini caught Yu Darvish on Sunday and will now make his second straight start after spending the previous three games on the bench. The 27-year-old has been slumping lately with a .494 OPS across his last 10 games, though the Cubs have several regulars who are struggling at the plate, so Caratini could earn more playing time if he gets hot.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Starting at catcher Caratini is starting at catcher and batting eighth in Sunday's game against the Twins.
Impact Caratini has been on the bench for the past three games but will return to the lineup Sunday as the personal catcher for Yu Darvish, with Willson Contreras shifting over to designated hitter. Other than catching when Darvish starts, Caratini seems to have lost a grip on regular playing time, which limits his fantasy appeal the rest of the season.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Remains on the bench Caratini is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins.
Impact This is the third straight game on the bench for Caratini, who has just a .456 OPS over his last 17 contests. Willson Contreras is starting at catcher and David Bote is serving as the designated hitter, and it appears that Caratini has fallen into more of a reserve role for now while manager David Ross looks to ride some hotter hitters.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Sits for second straight game Caratini will be on the bench Friday against the Twins.
Impact Caratini has started 31 out of the Cubs' 51 games this season, but he'll sit for the second straight game here. With a .456 OPS over his last 17 games, it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if his opportunities drop off down the stretch. Willson Contreras will catch Friday, with Jason Kipnis serving as the designated hitter.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Not starting Wednesday Caratini is not starting Wednesday against Cleveland.
Impact Caratini has been in the lineup for the majority of the Cubs' games this season but doesn't have close to an everyday role, as he's started 31 out of 50 contests thus far. Willson Contreras will be the catcher Wednesday, with Kyle Schwarber serving as the designated hitter.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Big day at plate Caratini went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored Sunday against the Brewers.
Impact Caratini busted out of a 2-for-17 slump to deliver plenty of production. He had two separate RBI knocks, the first a single in the fourth frame followed by a double in the seventh inning. His relatively lengthy slump has put a damper on his overall numbers, as Caratini is now hitting .253/.343/.316 across 108 plate appearances.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Cubs' Mills throws MLB's 2nd no-hitter in 12-0 win over MIL
Chicago Cubs right-hander Alec Mills cruised through baseball’s second no-hitter this season in just his 15th career start, completing the gem in a 12-0 romp over the Milwaukee Bre...SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sitting amid slump Caratini is not in Thursday's lineup against the Reds.
Impact While Caratini still figures to get a decent amount of starts at designated hitter and catcher now that Jose Martinez was optioned to South Bend, he will sit in favor of David Bote in this one. Caratini is also slumping, hitting .121 with zero extra-base hits over his last 33 at-bats.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Bauer outduels Darvish as Reds blank Cubs 3-0
Trevor Bauer tossed three-hit ball into the eighth inning to outpitch Chicago Cubs ace Yu Darvish and lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-0 victory Wednesday nightSEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Path to playing time reopens Caratini will start at catcher and will bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Reds.
Impact Chicago has largely been splitting catching and designated-hitter duties with Willson Contreras and Caratini this season, but the latter looked like he was on track to get squeezed out of DH opportunities after the Cubs acquired Jose Martinez on Aug. 30. However, after going hitless in his first 14 at-bats with Chicago, Martinez was optioned to the Cubs' alternate site Tuesday, which seemingly leaves Caratini in line to pick up more regular work. Caratini's lack of power and speed limits his overall fantasy upside, but he boasts decent enough contact skills to provide a non-toxic batting average from the second catcher spot in leagues that start two backstops.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Pete Alonso hits 2-run shot in 10th, Mets beat Yankees 9-7
SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
New father Reynolds homers as Pirates top Cubs 6-2
First-time father Bryan Reynolds hit a three-run homer in his return from paternity leave to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 6-2SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Loses out on everyday role Caratini is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.
Impact Caratini has been filling a quasi-everyday role for the Cubs this season, often serving as the team's designated hitter on days when he's not catching for a resting Willson Contreras. After Jose Martinez was acquired from the Rays on Sunday, however, Caratini doesn't look like he'll have a clear path to at-bats at DH any longer. If he's only getting two or three starts per week, Caratini will be tough to justify holding, even in leagues that start two catchers.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Not starting Sunday Caratini is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
Impact Caratini is 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts over his past five games and will stick on the bench Sunday. Willson Contreras starts behind the plate while Jason Kipnis serves as the designated hitter in the series finale.
AUGUST 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Out of lineup for Game 2 Caratini is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds.
Impact Caratini started behind the plate in Game 1 and will head to the bench after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Willson Contreras will catch for Alec Mills in the nightcap, while Kyle Schwarber serves as the designated hitter.
AUGUST 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Reds take advantage of wild Kimbrel, beat Cubs for DH split
Nick Castellanos raced home on Craig Kimbrel’s third wild pitch of the seventh inning, and the Cincinnati Reds avoided a doubleheader sweep by topping the Chicago Cubs 6-5AUGUST 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Catching Friday Caratini is catching and batting eighth in Friday's game against the Reds.
Impact The Cubs will deploy Willson Contreras as the DH Friday, which opens up catching duties for Caratini. The 27-year-old has played regularly so far this season, posting a .270/.361/.349 slash line in 23 games to date. He's still looking for his first home run after popping 11 in 95 games last year.
AUGUST 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Heads to bench Caratini is not starting Wednesday against the Tigers.
Impact Caratini will head to the bench following a string of four consecutive starts. He's hitting .270 with nine RBI through 23 games this season. In his absence, Kyle Schwarber is starting at DH while Albert Almora gets the nod in center field.
AUGUST 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Abreu hits 3 HRs, 5 in 2 days; Chisox top Cubs, 7th W in row
José Abreu hit three home runs a day after going deep twice, and the Chicago White Sox powered past the Chicago Cubs 7-4 for their seventh straight winAUGUST 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two hits off bench Caratini went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 10-1 loss to the White Sox.
Impact While he didn't get the start, Caratini wound up supplying the Cubs' only extra-base hit of the night and scoring their only run after entering the game in the sixth inning as manager David Ross emptied his bench in the rout. Caratini is now slashing .302/.373/.377 through 59 plate appearances, but his backup role behind Willson Contreras continues to limit his production -- he has only three runs and seven RBI, and is still looking for his first homer of the year.
AUGUST 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Not starting Friday Caratini is not in the lineup Friday against the White Sox.
Impact Caratini started the past four games and went 2-for-8 with a double, three RBI and three walks during that stretch, but he'll take a seat for Friday's series opener. Willson Contreras will start behind the plate while Kyle Schwarber serves as the designated hitter.
AUGUST 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
