MLB Player News

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Diaz has seen limited playing time since Francisco Cervelli returned from the 7-day concussion DL, and appears to have lost out on a backup role to counterpart Chris Stewart. Nonetheless, the 26-year-old has filled in admirably since getting called up in May, hitting .266 with 14 RBI over 79 at-bats, and should get a chance to see increased action at Indianapolis. Reliever A.J. Schugel was recalled in a corresponding move.

Contreras is not in the Cubs' lineup Friday against the Pirates.

Victor Caratini takes his place batting seventh and forming a battery with Eddie Butler. Contreras has just about matched his 2016 production with 11 home runs and 41 RBI in 268 plate appearances, but he's dipped with his .258/.326/.458 slash line.

Grandal is not in the lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Grandal has been hot as of late, collecting three extra-base hits and four RBI in the past three games, but he'll head to the bench for a night off. Austin Barnes will collect a start behind the dish to replace him.

Hedges (neck) will be available off the bench for Thursday's game, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Manager Andy Green said that Hedges was "feeling better" prior to Thursday's contest against the Indians, but the club wanted to stress precaution with their catcher instead of rushing him back too fast. He could return for the series opener against Philadelphia on Friday, but if he is unable to go, Hector Sanchez or Luis Torrens would fill in.

Hedges (neck) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Indians.

Hedges was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to neck stiffness and will get another day off as Luis Torrens draws the start behind the dish. There hasn't been much word from the Padres concerning Hedges, so he should be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Mesoraco's shoulder injury is unrelated to his previous torn labrum that ultimately required surgery, according to manager Bryan Price, as told to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.

That's the good news. The bad news is that Mesoraco hurt his shoulder catching the ball, and that anti-inflammatory medicine did not lessen the soreness in his shoulder. While the Reds don't believe this is a long-term injury, how he did it and that he could not get immediate relief don't bode well.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Colorado, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barnhart will take a seat after catching five of the past six games for the Reds. In his place, Stuart Turner is making a rare start behind the plate while batting eighth.

Hedges was a late scratch from the lineup Wednesday against the Indians due to neck stiffness, Dennis Lin of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

It's unclear when the injury cropped up or how severe it is, although more information on this front should come forth once word from manager A.J. Green comes forth. Luis Torrens will enter the lineup in his place.

Mesoraco was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left shoulder Wednesday.

Although the afflicted shoulder is on his non-throwing arm, it's noteworthy that this is the same side that was surgically repaired in the past. The embattled catcher will head back to the disabled list for at least 10 days, although it's unclear whether he'll need more time than that or not. Given his injury history, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Reds take things very slowly with Mesoraco. To fill his roster spot, right-hander Ariel Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A.

Sanchez made the Padres' starting lineup as the designated hitter in a road game against the Indians. He went 1-for-4 with the lone run scored in a 1-0 win.

With the benefit of a designated hitter, the Padres were able to keep Sanchez -- who hit two home runs over his previous nine at-bats -- in the lineup. The switch-hitting catcher figures to serve a similar role in the final two games of this interleague matchup against Cleveland, giving him marginal short-term value in deep two-catcher leagues.