MLB Player News

Rupp went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI Sunday in Colorado.

Rupp's second double was the most important hit of the game, turning a 2-1 ninth-inning deficit into a 3-2 lead while saddling closer Greg Holland with his second loss. The catcher came into this one mired in an 0-13 slump over his previous four games, but Coors Field has been known to have curative effects on struggling hitters.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs Sunday against the Nationals.

Contreras took rookie Erick Fedde deep in the fourth and sixth innings, and now has five home runs in the past four games. The 25-year-old catcher has cemented his spot in the heart of Chicago's order, as Contreras' recent power surge has raised his line to an impressive .281/.349/.532.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run during Sunday's win over Atlanta.

Now up to a .306/.366/.489 slash line with 13 homers, 45 RBI, five stolen bases and 50 runs, Realmuto is providing high-end numbers from the catcher position. Additionally, his hefty workload behind the plate makes him all the more valuable and helps both his fantasy floor and ceiling.

Grandal (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Grandal was removed from Saturday's game with back spasms and will be held out Sunday in order to give the veteran backstop ample time to rest. The Dodgers have a scheduled off-day Monday before opening up a three-game set with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Grandal will remain day-to-day while Austin Barnes will fill in behind the plate in his stead, batting sixth.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The embattled catcher returned to action Saturday with a two-strikeout showing, but in an effort to keep him healthy for the remainder of the year, he'll head to the bench for a day off. Tucker Barnhart will slot behind the dish to give Mesoraco a breather Sunday.

Sanchez was removed from Saturday's game in the third inning after he was hit in the mask by a foul ball.

Sanchez went 0-for-2 and was replaced behind the plate by Luis Torrens. He will likely undergo concussion testing in order to yield a more firm diagnosis, though it appears the early exit was a precautionary measure by the team. Saturday's start was his first since July 29, as Austin Hedges has reassumed primary catching duties.

Grandal left Saturday's game against the Mets with back spasms, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Grandal lasted seven innings in Saturday's win, going 1-for-4 with a double before he was replaced behind the plate by Austin Barnes. The team will likely let him rest for Sunday's series finale prior to Monday's well-timed travel day, but expect a more succinct evaluation by the team in due time.

Hedges is out of the lineup Saturday against the Pirates.

After starting the last four games, Hedges takes a seat in favor of Hector Sanchez, who is hitting sixth. Hedges is hitting .235 with five home runs and a 33:3 K:BB in 98 at-bats since the start of June.

Mesoraco (knee) is back in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

It will be Mesoraco's first start in a week -- he has been limited to just one pinch-hitting appearance so far in August due to a knee injury. Mesoraco has battled hamstring and shoulder issues as well over the course of the season and hasn't looked much at all like the player we saw break out in 2014, slashing just .218/.318/.406 in 51 games.

D'Arnaud is not in Saturday's lineup against the Dodgers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

D'Arnaud will get Saturday afternoon off after going 0-for-3 in Friday night's game. Rene Rivera will start in his place, hitting eighth.