MLB Player News

Knizner was moved up to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, Rob Rains of Stlsportspage.com reports.

Knizner will take the next step in his professional career after beginning the 2018 season hitting .333/.412/.467 with 18 RBI in 27 games for Double-A Springfield. Though he has played well enough to deserve this promotion, the move occurred due to the limited catching availability in the Cardinals' organization at the present time. With Yadier Molina (groin) and Carson Kelly (hamstring) on the DL, Francisco Pena and Steve Baron are both on the major-league roster, so Knizner will man the backstop for Memphis moving forward.

Grandal is out of the lineup Thursday against the Marlins, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Grandal and Austin Barnes have alternated turns behind the plate over the last four games, with Grandal drawing both of his starts against right-handed pitching while Barnes entered the lineup versus lefties. It's unclear if the catchers will work in a strict platoon going forward, but with a 181-point edge in OPS this season, Grandal should see the bulk of the playing time regardless of how manager Dave Roberts elects to divvy up the starts.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Thursday against the Dodgers, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto was behind the plate Wednesday night for a sixth straight game, so with the two sides concluding their three-game set with a matinee tilt Thursday, Marlins manager Don Mattingly decided it was time to give his top backstop a breather. Bryan Holaday will handle catching duties in the series finale, working as the batterymate for Caleb Smith.

Ruiz went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa in its 8-7 win over Springfield.

Though he left the yard for the first time in three weeks, Ruiz hasn't been short on power of late, as he had recorded four doubles over the four games prior to Tuesday. In his first taste of the Texas League, Ruiz is hitting .284/.341/.422 across 126 plate appearances. That stellar line is rendered more impressive by the fact that Ruiz won't turn 20 years old until late July, making him one of the youngest players on the circuit.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup against Toronto on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco will get the afternoon off after going 2-for-2 with one home run, two RBI and four runs scored during Tuesday's contest. In his place, Jose Lobaton is set to catch Zack Wheeler and bat seventh in the order.

Realmuto went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

It was his second three-hit performance in the last four games. Realmuto is in a groove right now at the plate, posting a .292/.346/.438 slash line through 12 games in May, but a tepid Marlins offense around him has limited the catcher's overall production. He has one homer, three RBI and six runs during that stretch.

Barnhart is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Giants.

The catcher has had a strong start to the season, hitting .286/.383/.464 with three homers through 35 games. Tony Cruz will get the start behind the plate Tuesday.

Grandal is not starting Tuesday against the Marlins.

The catcher is posting excellent numbers so far this season, hitting .275/.385/.500 with six homers in 36 games. He hasn't been as good since the start of May, though, hitting just .161 in 12 games. Austin Barnes will be the Dodgers' catcher Tuesday.

Caratini is catching and batting sixth in Monday's game against the Braves.

Caratini is spelling regular catcher Willson Contreras, who is getting a rest day as the Cubs play Monday afternoon. Caratini has played both catcher and first base this season, and manager Joe Maddon indicated that he could play additional positions as the season progresses. Caratini is slashing .283/.333/.340 this year.

Hedges (elbow) reported to the Padres' spring training facility in Arizona and will begin playing in simulated games Monday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Hedges was cleared to take a step forward in his recovery after a recent MRI confirmed that the catcher wasn't dealing with any structural damage to his right elbow and is merely battling some tendinitis. He'll likely play at least a couple games in Arizona before advancing to a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as the upcoming weekend.