MLB Player News

Okey (wrist) came off the disabled list Thursday for High-A Daytona, going 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk at Fort Myers.

Wrist injuries have plagued him early on in his career, so we don't have a great gauge for his offensive upside. He has a solid reputation as a defender behind the dish and has pedigree (43rd overall pick in 2016), so if he can get going offensively, he could become a player to watch in deeper two-catcher dynasty leagues.

Contreras is not in the lineup against the Brewers on Thursday.

Contreras will get a day off after starting the past two games behind the plate. In his place, Victor Caratini gets the nod and will bat sixth in the order for the series opener.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Thursday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

With Devin Mesoraco (neck) ready to catch Thursday after sitting out Cincinnati's past three contests, Barnhart will receive a breather for the day game after a night game. Barnhart's offense has yet to suffer this season due to the hefty workload behind the plate, as he has delivered a respectable .250/.346/.412 line across 79 plate appearances.

Mesoraco (neck) will start at catcher and bat sixth Thursday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco's stiff neck had kept him out of the lineup for the past three games, but because he typically only plays a couple times per week, the Reds didn't need to call up an extra catcher from the minors in the short term. After taking some time to rest up, Mesoraco will be ready to step in for Tucker Barnhart as the Reds play a day game after a night game.

Realmuto blasted two home runs and drove in three in a 2-for-6 game Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Realmuto has absolutely mashed since coming off the disabled list April 17. He has four home runs in just seven games and now owns a .385/.448/.846 line in the early going. Obviously Realmuto will come down to Earth eventually, but the 27-year-old should be rounding into his prime and hit a respectable .278/.332/.451 with a career-high 17 home runs last season. Realmuto has steadily improved since his call up in 2015, and at this point he could be the best hitter in this bare-bones Marlins lineup.

Mesoraco (neck) is not in the lineup against the Braves on Wednesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Mesoraco was scratched from the starting nine prior to Tuesday's game with neck stiffness and will stay on the bench for at least one more day. Tucker Barnhart will handle the catching duties and bat seventh during Wednesday's tilt.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run, his first of the season, in Tuesday's win over the Indians.

Contreras is slashing a solid .274/.361/.438, but the one home run to date is a bit disappointing considering he blasted 21 in 377 at-bats last season. However, the 25-year-old's MLB track record suggests that he should start to see more balls go over the fence if he keeps making good contact at the plate.

Realmuto went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

Realmuto took Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda deep in the third inning for his second home run of the year. After starting the season on the disabled list, the backstop has come out swinging, going 8-for-20 in six games with five RBI and five runs scored. Realmuto hit .278 last year with 17 home runs and 65 RBI.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Grandal is off to a solid start to the season, hitting .328/.423/.552 with three homers in 18 games, but he will get the night off after making seven consecutive starts behind the dish. Austin Barnes will start at catcher and hit sixth in his stead.

Barnhart is starting at catcher and hitting sixth Tuesday against the Braves, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

Barnhart was originally scheduled to get the game off, but he'll rejoin the starting lineup after Devin Mesoraco was scratched with neck stiffness. The 27-year-old backstop is hitting .250/.348/.417 with two homers in 70 plate appearances this season.