MLB Player News

Mesoraco (hip) could be activated by the end of the Reds' upcoming series against the Orioles, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old backstop has been rehabbing at Double-A Pensacola of late and appears to be making significant progress toward a return. He's 4-of-11 with one home run and he's also been able to catch on back-to-back days. According to Sheldon, Mesoraco's final hurdle could come early next week when he's scheduled to catch back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, Mesoraco could be back with the Reds as soon as Thursday.

Rupp is out of the lineup Saturday against the Nationals.

The Phillies and Nationals played 10 innings Friday night, and Rupp caught the whole game, so this is simply a regular rest day. Andrew Knapp will take over catching duties and bat seventh.

D'Arnaud could be on the bench again Saturday for another rest day following Thursday's 16-inning game, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

He apparently needed help making it down the clubhouse steps after crouching behind the plate for five hours Thursday, so an extended break seems like a wise precaution given d'Arnaud's injury history. "I am going to give him two [days off]," Mets manager Terry Collins said Friday. "We've got three more here. I thought that was a long game last night, he was exhausted when the game was over. So, I'll give him tonight and tomorrow and get him back out there." Rene Rivera would then make his second straight start Saturday, but expect d'Arnaud back in the lineup Sunday.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

As expected, d'Arnaud will take a seat Friday after catching 16 innings and hitting the game-winning home run against the Marlins in the series opener. Rene Rivera will take over behind the plate in his place, but d'Arnaud figures to draw back into the lineup later in the weekend.

Sanchez was reinstated from the 7-day disabled list on Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez had been dealing with concussion symptoms after taking a foul ball to the head in last week's game against the Dodgers. It appears all systems are go and he's ready to assume reserve catching duties behind everyday starter Austin Hedges, though fellow backstop Luis Torrens will remain on the roster for now. The switch-hitting Sanchez is still looking for his first hit on the young season, but is likely to continue to see limited playing time upon his return to action.

Barnhart is not in the Reds' starting lineup for Friday's game against Milwaukee.

It seems to be a routine day off as Stuart Turner takes over the backstop. Barnhart has been swinging a hot bat to open the season in the form of a .296 batting average, but has just one RBI while hitting out of the eighth spot.

Contreras is not in the Cubs' lineup Friday.

The backstop gets a breather in this day game, with Miguel Montero taking his place behind the plate and batting seventh. Contreras should return to action Saturday.

Murphy (forearm) remains in a thumb-extending brace and has not done fielding drills as of Thursday, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

The goal was to immobilize the injury as long as possible, so he still may be able to return before the end of April. Still, optimism will increase when Murphy starts to ramp up baseball activities and log rehab appearances.

D'Arnaud went 4-for-6 with a walk, a triple, a home run, three runs scored and four RBI in Thursday's extra-inning win over the Marlins.

After playing all 16 innings Thursday and giving the Mets the victory with a solo homer in the top of the 16th, expect d'Arnaud to get a well-deserved day off Friday. The 28-year-old is enjoying a tremendous start to 2017, slashing .333/.438/.704 through nine games with two home runs and nine RBI.

Realmuto is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto is off to a blistering start to the season, going 12-for-29 (.414) with two homers, seven runs and six RBI through seven games. He'll head to the bench in favor of A.J. Ellis Thursday, though he'll likely resume his duties behind the dish Friday.