MLB Player News

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run during Sunday's win over Miami.

The 26-year-old backstop has already piled up 10 RBI through just 39 plate appearances and boasts a rock-solid .382/.462/.588 slash line since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. However, Diaz owns a .670 OPS over 158 games at the Triple-A level, so his current results at the highest level are probably unsustainable. He'll continue to see plenty of at-bats for the duration of Francisco Cervelli's (concussion) and Chris Stewart's (hamstring) absences, though.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

It appears Hedges is simply receiving a scheduled day of rest ahead of Sunday's tilt against Jake Junis and the Royals. Luis Torrens will draw the start behind the plate.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves.

D'Arnaud sat out Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader and will again be relegated to the bench for Sunday's matinee against Jaime Garcia and the Braves. Rene Rivera will draw the start in his stead.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Contreras continues to underperform at the plate, as he's hitting just .231 with no extra-base hits over 26 at-bats in June. He'll take a seat Sunday with Miguel Montero drawing the start.

Diaz reached base four times Saturday, going 3-for-3 with a walk.

He's hitting .367 in 30 at-bats with a homer and eight RBI. The Pirates have been forced to use him regularly with both Francisco Cervelli (concussion) and Chris Stewart (hamstring) on the disabled list and so far the results have been encouraging. The 26-year-old has improved at the plate in recent minor-league seasons and seems capable of batting somewhere in the .270 range as a major leaguer. With both Cervelli and Stewart prone to injury, Diaz could find himself with ample playing time throughout the summer and beyond.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, Newsday's Marc Carig reports.

Although the doubleheader is the likely reason for d'Arnaud's absence, the catcher could likely use some rest after starting the past four games behind the plate. In his place, Rene Rivera will catch for Robert Gsellman.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Friday against the Dodgers.

This marks the second straight game that Mesoraco will watch from the bench. The Reds really seem to be taking things very cautiously with the oft-injured catcher, although he also has just two hits in his past 21 at-bats. Tucker Barnhart will assume catching duties for the evening in his place.

Realmuto is not in the lineup Friday against the Pirates, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Despite collecting hits in each of the last three games, Realmuto will head to the bench for a breather Friday. A.J. Ellis will draw the start in his stead, batting eighth. Realmuto is enjoying a nice year at the dish, slashing .291/.359/.439 in 51 games.

Diaz is not in the lineup Friday against the Marlins.

Diaz is expected to pick up most of the starts while both Francisco Cervelli (concussion) and Chris Stewart (hamstring) are sidelined, but the young backstop will get a night off after two consecutive starts. Jacob Stallings will assume catching duties for the evening.

Contreras is not in the Cubs' lineup Friday against the Rockies, Bruce Miles of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The backstop continues his timeshare with Miguel Montero, who'll receive pitches from Mike Montgomery. Contreras has struggled to build on his exciting 2016 stint, batting just .248/.317/.404 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 180 plate appearances this season.