MLB Player News

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and six RBI against the Mets on Friday.

A last-minute replacement for starter Francisco Cervelli (illness), Diaz smacked both a three-run double and three-run dinger. He's better known for defense, but his offense has improved over his last several seasons of minor-league play. Although he's stuck behind Cervelli and Chris Stewart on the depth chart, his stock is on the rise and he figures to see a tick up in playing time, especially with Stewart on the disabled list. Diaz remains the team's long-range catcher of the future.

Hedges went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 8-5 win over the Rockies.

The homer was his second in as many starts and 10th of the season in 51 games. Hedges' .216/.269/.438 slash line on the season isn't very appetizing from a fantasy perspective, but if he continues seeing the bulk of the action behind the plate, he has a shot at breaking Mike Piazza's franchise record for home runs in a season by a catcher (22).

Mesoraco is out of Friday's lineup against the Braves.

He has essentially been splitting time evenly with Tucker Barnhart of late, and is in the midst of an 0-for-15 funk over his last five games. Barnhart will catch Bronson Arroyo and hit eighth.

Contreras is not in the Cubs' lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

He'll give way to Miguel Montero with John Lackey on the mound. Contreras is inhabiting more of a timeshare with Montero than many fantasy owners thought would happen before the season. Contreras still has posted serviceable numbers for a catcher (.248/.321/.426 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 159 plate appearances), but he's falling short of lofty expectations.

Murphy (forearm) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy, who has been sidelined since spring training with a hairline fracture in his forearm, caught in an extended spring training game for the first time since sustaining the injury. He's expected to catch in another extended spring game Thursday, and if all goes well, he'll head out on a rehab assignment with Albuquerque after taking Friday off. The Rockies haven't specified how many rehab games Murphy will play, but they'll likely play things by ear following each contest. He still appears to be on track to return to the big club in mid June.

Barnes is batting seventh and catching Thursday against the Cardinals, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

He'll again fill in for Yasmani Grandal as Brandon McCarthy takes the hill. Barnes has proved adept in the backup backstop role, batting .273/.385/.545 in 24 games.

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

The backstop will get a breather in the matinee, with Austin Barnes replacing him behind the plate. When he likely returns to action Friday, Grandal will look to continue his hot May, during which he scalded the baseball at a .337/.374/.523 pace with two home runs and 16 RBI in 91 plate appearances.

D'Arnaud is batting eighth and catching Thursday against the Brewers.

D'Arnaud was given a day off Wednesday after also getting a breather Monday. Considering his injury-filled past -- including a disabled list trip due to wrist issues earlier this month -- New York continues to limit the workload of its No. 1 backstop, who carries a .221/.294/.481 line with five home runs in 85 plate appearances.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Brewers.

D'Arnaud has five hits over his past three starts, but he'll sit out of Wednesday's bout as the Mets continue to ease him back into regular action. Rene Rivera will assume catching duties for the evening.

Hedges is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs.

Outside of his two-hit game Tuesday night, Hedges has been scuffling at the plate over the past couple weeks, so he'll head to the bench for a day off. Luis Torrens will assume catching duties in his stead.