MLB Player News

Hedges led the Padres' offense Tuesday, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI in a 6-2 win over the Cubs.

The 24-year-old broke out of his 10-game slump (.125/.176/.125) in a big way, driving in a career-high four runs while increasing his career high in homers to nine as well. Over the past two seasons, Hedges has shown an ability to dominate Triple-A pitching, only to struggle in the majors. Unsurprisingly, the backstop has provided production right down the middle of his minor- and major-league splits in his first full season as the Padres' starter. If fantasy owners can stomach Hedges' low batting average, his production of nine homers and 25 RBI (second among all catchers) can certainly be enjoyed.

Murphy (forearm) has participated as the DH in back-to-back games in extended spring training, but is not yet catching in games, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

He was in Tuesday's game for five innings as the DH. Murphy will inevitably head out on a rehab assignment once he is able to handle the rigors of catching and hitting for an entire game. Look for him to return to the Rockies in mid June.

Stewart (hamstring) will undergo an MRI on Wednesday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

While the injury originally wasn't thought to be anything overly serious, Stewart tried testing it out prior to Tuesday's contest and did not respond well, prompting a trip to the DL. A possible timetable for his return should become clearer following Wednesday's tests. In the meantime, Elias Diaz will serve as the Pirates' backup catcher.

Diaz was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Diaz was recalled to serve as the Pirates' backup catcher after Chris Stewart (hamstring) was forced to go on the disabled list. This will be Diaz's second stint with the big club this season; he appeared in four games earlier in the year and went 2-for-9 with two walks. He'll likely head back to Triple-A once Stewart is ready to return from the disabled list.

Stewart was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with a strained left hamstring.

While it was originally thought Stewart wasn't going to need a trip to the DL, the Pirates have decided to err on the side of caution with the 35-year-old backstop. Stewart was slashing .225/.295/.350 through 16 games (40 at-bats) before landing on the DL. Stewart will be eligible to return on June 8, while Elias Diaz was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and will serve as the Pirates' backup catcher in his absence.

Stewart suffered a minor hamstring injury in Monday's game against Arizona and is expected to be fine, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Consider Stewart day-to-day for now. The Pirates may choose to let Stewart rest the leg, which could mean a couple of consecutive starts for fellow backstop Francisco Cervelli, but Stewart shouldn't need a trip to the disabled list.

Stewart left Monday's game early with an apparent left leg injury, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Stewart was taken out of the game for a pinch runner after knocking a triple. More should be known about his status following the conclusion of Monday's contest.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup Monday against the Brewers, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

After catching 19 innings over the last two days, d'Arnaud will head to the bench for Monday's series opener. Rene Rivera will draw the start behind the dish.

Contreras is out of the lineup Monday against the Padres.

Contreras has started two of the last three games, but he'll give way to Miguel Montero behind the plate for the afternoon contest. The 25-year-old backstop is coming off a productive outing Sunday, as Contreras went 2-for-5 with a solo home run on the afternoon. He now has five long balls on the season, three of which have come in the month of May.

Barnes went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored in Sunday's win over the Cubs.

The veteran catcher received his lone start of the week in place of Yasmani Grandal and delivered at the plate. Barnes has been effective as a backup, slashing .264/.381/.528 in 63 plate appearances.