MLB Player News

Maldonado hit a two-run home run in a 1-for-5 game in a loss Monday to Atlanta

Maldonado hit his first home run in June 1. Since then, he is hitting .239/.357/.451 with five homers in 25 games. Maldonado strikes out too much to hit for a good batting average, but he has solid power and should be able to reach double-digits in home runs now that the Jonathan Lucroy trade has cleared his path to playing time.

Rupp is out of the lineup Sunday against the Padres, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Rupp has been phenomenal at the plate in recent outings, having gone 8-for-23 with three home runs over the last seven days. However, he'll have the day off as the Phillies opt to start Carlos Ruiz behind the plate against San Diego. Rupp will likely return to the lineup Monday when Philadelphia begins their series against the Dodgers.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, Jenny Cavnar of Root Sports reports.

Realmuto will have the day off as Jeff Mathis starts behind the dish for the Marlins. Realmuto has been swinging the bat well in recent outing and is 7-for-19 (.368) over the last seven days. He'll likely return to the lineup Monday against the Giants.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.

It's a regular day off for Barnhart, who will get the afternoon finale to rest after starting the first two games of the series. Ramon Cabrera will man the backstop in his stead.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Boston.

After starting the last two games, Grandal will get a day off as A.J. Ellis fills in behind the plate and bats eighth. Grandal is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, going 9-for-22 with seven RBI in that span.

Rupp went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI in a 5-4 victory over the Padres on Friday.

The homer was Rupp's 13th of the season. Manager Pete Mackanin praised Rupp after the game, telling CSN Philadelphia that the changes he made to his approach at the plate to stay on top of the ball have helped propel his 2016 breakout. Rupp does have a .331 BABIP this season, which is much better than past seasons, but some of that increase may not be luck given the change to his approach and the hard contact he has been making. His average exit velocity of 95.1 mph is the third highest in the majors this season.

Diaz has been activated by Triple-A Indianapolis.

Diaz was a reserve for the Pirates in case Francisco Cervelli was forced to miss more time, but Cervelli returned to the Pirates lineup on Friday. Therefore, Diaz will go back to Triple-A Indianapolis where he will start tonight against Toledo. The 25-year-old is hitting .267 in 60 minor league at-bats with High-A, Double-A and Triple-A.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers.

Rene Rivera will catch for starter Noah Syndergaard as d'Arnaud sits for the second time in three days. While d'Arnaud continues to see the lion's share of the workload, he's underwhelmed at the dish since his return from the DL in late June, going 27-for-101 (.267 average) with five extra-base hits. He hit a home run Tuesday, his first since July 7 and third of the season.

Rupp is out of the lineup Thursday against the Giants, the Philly Voice's Ryan Lawrence reports.

He will get a standard day off during Thursday's day game following Wednesday's night game. Carlos Ruiz will start behind the dish and hit fifth Thursday.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Thursday against the Cardinals, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After six consecutive starts behind the plate, Barnhart will take a seat for the early matchup Thursday. Ramon Cabrera will man the backstop in his stead.