MLB Player News

  • Alex Jackson C | MIN

    Braves' Alex Jackson: Earns promotion to Double-A

    Jackson was promoted from High-A Florida to Double-A Mississippi on Sunday.

    After disappointing in his first three professional seasons with the Mariners, Jackson is starting to make good on the potential that made him the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 first-year player draft, though it took an offseason trade to the Braves in order for it to happen. The 21-year-old's plate discipline (13:74 BB:K in 282 plate appearances this season) still leaves something to be desired, but his resurgent power (31 extra-base hits, .502 slugging percentage) earned him a promotion to the Southern League. Jackson's outlook in dynasty leagues has also improved thanks to a move from outfield to catcher, though it remains uncertain that he'll be able to stick behind the plate at the big-league level.

  • Cubs' Victor Caratini: Hits first MLB home run Sunday

    Caratini went 1-for-4 with his first career home run in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

    Caratini is the primary backup to catcher Willson Contreras, but he found himself getting the start at first base in place of Anthony Rizzo in this one. The 23-year-old doesn't really play enough to move the fantasy needle in most leagues, but he might be worth an occasional flier in daily leagues when he finds himself in the lineup.

  • Dodgers' Yasmani Grandal: Sits for Sunday's series finale

    Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Giants, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    Grandal has seven hits in his past 20 at-bats (.350), but given his decline of production against lefties during the past couple of seasons, he'll hit the bench for a night off. Austin Barnes will slot in behind the plate in his stead.

  • Padres' Hector Sanchez: Heads back to bench role

    Sanchez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

    With the Padres activating Austin Hedges (concussion) from the 7-day disabled list Sunday and immediately returning him to the lineup, Sanchez's run of regular playing time behind the plate should come to an end. Sanchez has been a useful option in two-catcher leagues for much of July with a .283 average, four home runs and 11 RBI on the month, but his fantasy value will take a substantial hit now that Hedges is healthy again.

  • Padres' Austin Hedges: Returns to lineup Sunday

    Hedges (concussion) was activated from the 7-day disabled list and is starting at catcher and batting seventh during Sunday's game against the Pirates, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

    Hedges was placed on the 7-day DL on July 18 after being struck in the head with a foul ball. The backstop has passed his concussion testing and is set to rejoin the Padres lineup. He'll look to improve upon his .218 average moving forward.

  • Reds' Tucker Barnhart: Starting for fourth time in five games

    Barnhart will start at catcher and bat eighth Sunday against the Marlins.

    With Devin Mesoraco (knee) hurting again and considered day-to-day, Barnhart will check in behind the plate for the fourth time in five games. Even if Mesoraco doesn't require a trip to the disabled list for his latest injury setback, the Reds aren't eager to give him a heavy workload over the final two months of the season, so he and Barnhart should roughly split the starts behind the plate the rest of the way.

  • Reds' Devin Mesoraco: Held out of Sunday's lineup

    Mesoraco (knee) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

    Mesoraco was lifted from Saturday's contest after tweaking his knee in the sixth inning. With a scheduled off-day upcoming on Monday, the Reds will hold their starting catcher out of the lineup in order to give him ample time to rest his injured knee. Tucker Barnhart will fill in behind the plate and bat eighth.

  • Marlins' J.T. Realmuto: Takes seat Sunday

    Realmuto is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

    Realmuto has been red-hot of late -- collecting eight hits in his past four contests -- but he'll get the day off as the Marlins square off against Luis Castillo and the Reds. A.J. Ellis takes over behind the plate, batting second.

  • Reds' Devin Mesoraco: Removed as precautionary measure

    Mesoraco tweaked his knee in Saturday's game against the Marlins, but the club doesn't think it's serious, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

    Mesoraco was removed before the bottom of the sixth. With an afternoon game Sunday and an off day Monday, it would seem like a perfect opportunity for the Reds to give him some light rest, even if the injury proves to be as minor as the club expects. As such, consider him day-to-day and don't be surprised if Mesoraco isn't in Sunday's lineup.

  • Padres' Austin Hedges: Expected to return Sunday

    Hedges (concussion) is expected to return from the 7-day disabled list Sunday.

    While the move won't be made official until Sunday, Hedges' return will be a boon to the Padres' lineup. Fellow catcher Luis Torrens is a Rule 5 pick, so his roster spot will likely be safe upon Hedges' return. Hedges has popped 13 home runs in 243 at-bats this season and should resume regular catching duties upon his return.

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