MLB Player News

Rupp went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Friday's loss to Arizona.

While Rupp owns an underwhelming .208/.294/.368 slash line this season, he's been a high-end hitter against southpaws dating back to last season. Before blasting Friday's homer off lefty Patrick Corbin, Rupp sported a .954 OPS and .399 wOBA against left-handed hurlers dating back to the beginning of 2016. Don't overlook the backstop as a potential source of DFS cap relief when Philadelphia faces a lefty.

Murphy (forearm) was activated from the disabled list and is starting at catcher Thursday against the Giants, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

While it was originally reported that Murphy would return sometime next week, it appears the Rockies were pleased enough with his rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque to bring him back early. The 26-year-old went 12-for-24 with seven RBI over his last five rehab games, including a 3-for-5 effort with five RBI in his most recent outing. He'll take the place of Ryan Hanigan on the active roster, while Murphy will likely enter a timeshare with Tony Wolters behind the dish for the time being.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup Thursday against the Nationals.

D'Arnaud will head to the bench for a breather after turning in an 0-for-5 performance Wednesday. Rene Rivera will take over behind the plate in his stead.

Grandal is not in the Dodgers' Thursday lineup against the Indians, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The backstop will get an off day with Austin Barnes taking his place. Grandal should be back in action Friday. He's cooled off a little after a nice start to the year, batting .264/.321/.431 with six home runs in 216 plate appearances.

Stewart (hamstring) ran curves Wednesday and hopes to progress to running the bases in the near future, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stewart is slowly making his way back from a hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined since May. Once Stewart is able to run the bases, he'll likely head out on a rehab assignment, at which point there should be a clearer return date for him.

Contreras is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

Contreras has only three hits over the past week, dropping his season batting average to just .240. He'll hit the bench with a day game on tap Wednesday, allowing Miguel Montero to pick up a start behind the dish.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Padres, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco continues to get a steady diet of days off in an effort to keep him healthy, and that trend will continue with a day game on tap Wednesday. Tucker Barnhart will assume catching duties in his stead.

Hedges is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Reds, Bob Scanlan of Fox Sports San Diego reports.

The 24-year-old has terrorized the Reds over the past couple games, collecting five hits and three RBI, but he'll head to the bench with a day game on tap. Luis Torrens will fill in for Hedges behind the plate Wednesday.

Manager Bud Black said that Murphy (forearm) could return in "a week to 10 days," Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy has been tearing it up in the minors during his rehab assignment, batting .375 in 26 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. Although the catching prospect is nearing a return to action, the Rockies have a tough decision on their hands once he's activated. Ryan Hanigan has been performing well at the plate and has been heralded for his ability to manage Colorado's young pitching staff, so it's not a sure thing that Murphy would knock him off the big-league roster upon his return. Murphy does have a minor-league option, but Black hinted that Murphy will get his fair shake in the big leagues at some point this season. "Murphy was going to play a lot [out of spring training]," he said. "He showed some power with his bat and we liked how he caught games last year." If Murphy does receive a spot with the Rockies immediately, he would likely enter a timeshare behind the plate with incumbent backstop Tony Wolters and knock Ryan Hanigan off the roster. The Rockies must make a decision on this front by June 23, which is the latest date Murphy can return from the disabled list.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

Despite knocking homers in consecutive games, Mesoraco will head to the bench as Tucker Barnhart comes on to catch for Bronson Arroyo. The 28-year-old is now slashing .240/.345/.493 with five home runs in 87 plate appearances on the year.