MLB Player News

Mesoraco is out of the lineup Saturday against the Nationals.

Mesoraco caught 10 innings during Friday's loss to the Nats, so he'll get a breather for Saturday's matinee contest. Tucker Barnhart will start behind the dish in his place.

Hedges (thigh) went 1-for-2 with an RBI double and a walk in Friday's win over Detroit.

A bruised thigh, suffered in collision with the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo on Monday, ended up costing Hedges two starts. The 24-year-old Hedges provides significant value behind the plate for the Padres, and while he has just an 80 wRC+, his counting numbers are strong relative to the position.

Grandal remains out of the lineup Friday against the Rockies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

There has been nothing to suggest an injury is in play, so it seems Grandal's second consecutive absence is simply due to the fact that the Dodgers are facing a second straight southpaw (Kyle Freeland). Grandal, a switch-hitter, is batting just .204/.278/.306 against left-handed pitching so far this season, while Austin Barnes is batting .289/.372/.553 against lefties.

Hernandez was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Hernandez is slashing just .197/.263/.352 in 142 at-bats with Double-A Jackson this season, so the Diamondbacks decided to remove him from the 40-man roster in order to open up a spot for Rubby De La Rosa to join the big-league bullpen. The Diamondbacks are already carrying a trio of catchers at the major-league level, so Hernandez was deemed expendable. He'll likely report back to Double-A if he passes through waivers untouched.

Sanchez (foot, quad) was activated from the disabled list Friday, Dennis Lin of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Sanchez is ready to rejoin the big club after appearing in four rehab games for Triple-A El Paso over the past week. The 27-year-old, who slashed .091/.167/.227 in 22 at-bats before landing on the DL, should return to his role as backup catcher to Austin Hedges.

Contreras is not in the lineup Friday against the Marlins.

Despite clubbing two homers in his last four games, Contreras will head to the bench as Miguel Montero takes over behind the dish. The 25-year-old, who is slashing .249/.311/.423 in 64 games (222 plate appearances) this season, should be back in the lineup for Saturday's matinee contest.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Dodgers.

The blast, d'Arnaud's eighth of the year, snapped a 10-game homerless drought for the backstop. His .226/.293/.459 slash line in 44 games is underwhelming, but at least the 28-year-old is on pace to top his previous career high of 13 home runs.

Diaz is expected to split time with Chris Stewart while starter Francisco Cervelli (concussion) remains sidelined. "I don't think it's important to designate a starter," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Both guys are going to catch and be used appropriately."

It wouldn't be surprising to see Diaz get the bulk of starts over Stewart, though it sounds as if Hurdle has a plan mapped out. Diaz went hitless in four at-bats Thursday, lowering his batting average to .276.

Grandal is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Despite knocking three homers over the last two games, Grandal will head to the bench for Thursday's series finale. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish for him, while Grandal should be back in action Friday against the Rockies.

Jackson has gone 0-for-9 with a walk and a pair of strikeouts in three games since returning from the 7-day DL.

While he's hitless in his first three games back following a month-long absence due to injury, Jackson is still slashing .284/.348/.543 on the season. He has 10 home runs in 178 at-bats (fifth most in the Florida State League), which is just one fewer than he managed in 381 at-bats at Low-A in the Mariners' organization last year. Now that Jackson's catching (as opposed to playing the corner outfield) and beginning to find himself at the plate, the former No. 6 overall pick's stock in dynasty leagues is trending back up.