MLB Player News

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Thursday's win over the Giants.

Diaz has been starting less frequently since Francisco Cervelli returned from a concussion -- Thursday's start was just Diaz's third in the Pirates' last nine games -- but he continues to perform when given an opportunity. The 27-year-old is now slashing .287/.333/.455 with eight homers in 202 at-bats this season.

Hedges is out of the lineup against the Brewers on Thursday.

Hedges will retreat to the bench after starting the past four contests, including a multi-hit game during Wednesday's loss. In his place, A.J. Ellis will handle the catching duties and bat eighth.

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, a stolen base and two strikeouts in Wednesday's loss to the Athletics.

Grandal launched his 20th homer of the year in the fifth inning, and later swiped his second stolen base of the season (sixth of his career). The backstop was riding an 0-for-11 stretch entering Wednesday, but he continues to lead all National League catchers in home runs (20) and RBI (57) while also posting a .256/.357/.502 slash line -- each of which would be career bests.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

The Reds will unsurprisingly give Barnhart a breather with the team playing a day game after a night game in the series finale. Curt Casali will check in behind the plate Wednesday, catching for starter Robert Stephenson in the latter's 2018 MLB debut.

Grandal is not in the lineup Tuesday against the A's, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grandal will head to the bench against left-hander Sean Manaea after starting four of the last five games behind the dish -- and appearing in all five. Austin Barnes will start at catcher and hit ninth in his stead.

Murphy was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Murphy is hitting just .227/.253/.398 across 31 games with the Rockies this season -- and just .152/.188/.370 in 19 games since the start of July -- so he'll head back to the minors for more seasoning. With Murphy out of the picture for the time being, Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters will split time behind the dish for the Rockies.

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Tuesday's game against the Royals.

With regular catcher Willson Contreras getting a breather after three straight starts, Caratini will slot in to face Kansas City right-hander Brad Keller. The 24-year-old has a mediocre .634 OPS this season with no home runs and 10 RBI in 45 games, so he hasn't moved the needle much in fantasy leagues.

Contreras is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Royals.

Contreras will give way to Victor Caratini behind the dish following three straight starts. The backstop is off to a nice start to the month, slashing .333/.429/.556 with one homer and three RBI through five games.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Reds, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Mesoraco will sit for a second straight game after catching all 10 innings during Sunday's loss to the Braves. Kevin Plawecki will once again start behind the dish.

Plawecki went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's win over the Reds.

He's hitting only .220 (11-for-50) since the beginning of July, and Plawecki remains stuck in a timeshare with Devin Mesoraco behind the plate for the Mets. Expect the arrangement to continue until one of them heats up enough to seize a majority of the starts.