MLB Player News

Mesoraco is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins.

Mesoraco is feeling healthy again after a back issue sidelined him for about two weeks, but the Reds will continue to act conservatively with his workload this season due to his extensive injury history. He'll sit Sunday for the third time in five days, affording Tucker Barnhart a start behind the plate.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup Sunday against the A's, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

On the heels of a three-hit performance Saturday, d'Arnaud will get the day off after starting the first two games of the series. Rene Rivera will take over behind the plate.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Sunday against the Reds, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

After back-to-back starts behind the plate, Realmuto will head to the bench for the afternoon series finale. A.J. Ellis will man the backstop in his stead.

Realmuto went 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI during Saturday's win.

Realmuto is providing high-end numbers from the catcher position with a .305/.361/.475 slash line, 10 homers, 39 RBI, five stolen bases and 41 runs. He entered Saturday's game with the fourth-most plate appearances (328) among all catchers, so his hefty role also provides a high fantasy floor.

D'Arnaud went 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run during Saturday's win over the Athletics.

The backstop hasn't moved the fantasy needle outside of deep fantasy settings, and his .241/.302/.449 slash line isn't overly encouraging. Still, nine home runs, 31 RBI and 24 runs over just 205 plate appearances is serviceable production from the catcher position.

Rupp went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer, a walk and two runs Saturday against the Brewers.

Rupp's seventh home run of the year came in the eighth inning to fully erase what once was a seven-run deficit for the Phillies. Although he carries a weak batting average, his ability to hit an occasional homer gives him value in leagues that require two starting catchers.

Sanchez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's tilt with the Giants.

The 27-year-old backstop has been hitting well since taking over for Austin Hedges (concussion) behind the plate, going 8-for-22 with three home runs over his last five starts, but gets the day off after catching all 11 innings in Friday's win. Luis Torrens will fill in at catcher, batting eighth.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer Friday against the Cardinals.

Contreras blasted his 14th homer of the year to give the Cubs a first-inning lead in a game they'd go on to lose. He's smashed five bombs over 14 July contests, and his .272 batting average to go along with a .489 slugging percentage makes him an outstanding fantasy option at the catcher position.

Mesoraco will take a seat for Friday's game against the Marlins.

Mesoraco was just reinstated from the DL (back) on Wednesday, and made his first start since early July during Thursday's game with the Diamondbacks. He went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, but more importantly, felt fine following the contest. The catcher will get the day off after returning to the lineup, while Tucker Barnhart draws the start in his stead.

Anderson has been converted to pitching by the Marlins, making his debut on the mound Thursday for the team's affiliate in the Gulf Coast League and allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning.

Selected with the 36th overall pick as a catcher in the 2014 draft, Anderson failed to develop as a hitter, posting a .173/.274/.245 slash line in the low minors before injuring his shoulder in 2016. The 21-year-old will get another chance to provide some return on the organization's investment in him as a reliever, but the GCL is a long way from the majors.