MLB Player News

Mesoraco was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Braves with neck stiffness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

The Reds have yet to indicate that Mesoraco is dealing with a serious injury, so consider him day-to-day for now. With Mesoraco out of the lineup, Tucker Barnhart will serve as Cincinnati's backstop and hit sixth.

Barnhart is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Braves.

Devin Mesoraco will receive his seventh start of the season in Barnhart's place. Barnhart is hitting a solid .250/.348/.417 with two homers in his first 70 plate appearances.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.

Hedges, who is hitting just .141 on the season, will head to the bench for a breather after starting each of the previous four games behind the dish and going 2-for-13 over that stretch. In his place, A.J. Ellis will start at catcher and hit eighth.

Realmuto went 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Brewers.

He's off to a good start since coming off the disabled list, going 5-for-12 in four games with a homer, four RBI and four runs. Realmuto's hitting second for the Marlins, and while their lineup is among the worst in the majors, that spot should still provide the 27-year-old catcher with plenty of run-producing opportunities.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer Sunday against the Phillies.

He's started only five games in 2018 but has nine hits in 19 at-bats in those contests. Diaz doesn't play enough to offer value to many fantasy owners and hit just .223 in 200 plate appearances with Pittsburgh in 2017. The 27-year-old could see more playing time at some point this summer, however, given starting catcher Francisco Cervelli's extensive injury history.

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 over the Nationals.

Grandal has a hit in each of his last 11 games after delivering a two-RBI double in the sixth inning Sunday. He continues to be red-hot at the plate, slashing .349/.446/.587 with three home runs and 16 RBI through 17 games. It's unlikely that Grandal will continue to hit at this pace, but a struggling Dodgers team will continue to ride his production.

Mesoraco (wrist) is starting at catcher and batting sixth Sunday against the Cardinals.

Mesoraco suffered a bruised right wrist Tuesday against the Brewers but was able to make a pinch-hit appearance Friday and will now carry starting duties Sunday. The wrist injury is behind him, and he should be good to go as the Reds' reserve catcher moving forward.

Contreras is not in the lineup Sunday against the Rockies.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Saturday and will now be given the afternoon off as the Cubs take on German Marquez in the series finale. Victor Caratini draws the start at catcher and bats seventh in his stead.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Saturday against the Rockies.

Contreras has now recorded one hit in each of his past five games, slowly working out of a sluggish few weeks of April. He also has back-to-back games with extra-base hits and at least one RBI. He has yet to homer this season, but has seven doubles, alleviating some concern that his power production will remain down in the long term.

Realmuto is not in the lineup Saturday against the Brewers, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto had started the Marlins' first three games since returning from the disabled list with a back contusion, going 3-for-10 with a home run. He'll get a day off Saturday, with Bryan Holaday starting in his place.