MLB Player News

Mesoraco (knee) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

Although his removal from Saturday's contest was considered precautionary, Mesoraco will now have missed three straight games due to the issue. Tucker Barnhart will assume catching duties in his stead.

Contreras is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Contreras started the past five contests, so he'll hit the bench for a night off despite collecting tow hits and two RBI Tuesday night. Alex Avila will pick up his first start in Chicago to replace him behind the plate.

Hedges went 2-for-3 with a double and a two-run homer against the Twins on Tuesday.

After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts upon his return from a DL stint due to a concussion Sunday, Hedges found his batting stroke in the Padres' very next game. His 14 homers and 43 RBI are relatively credible stats from the catcher position, but Hedges' .220 average is a major drag. However, we're talking about a 24-year-old who hit .326 with 21 homers and 82 RBI in 82 games at the Triple-A level last year -- numbers suggestive of high-end upside that he could yet realize in coming seasons.

Caratini was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Caratini didn't play much during his first cup of coffee on the north side, but he certainly made the most of his few chances, ripping three of his five hits for extra bases. He was expendable with Alex Avila arriving to the team via trade, so the 23-year-old will head back to the minors for further development. Caratini will likely find his way back to the majors when rosters expand in September, but he'll be hard-pressed to find as much playing time.

Mesoraco (knee) is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

Despite Monday's off-day, Mesoraco's knee still isn't feeling well enough to allow him to get back behind the plate. Tucker Barnhart will continue to assume regular catching duties until the embattled catcher is healthy again.

Jackson was promoted from High-A Florida to Double-A Mississippi on Sunday.

After disappointing in his first three professional seasons with the Mariners, Jackson is starting to make good on the potential that made him the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 first-year player draft, though it took an offseason trade to the Braves in order for it to happen. The 21-year-old's plate discipline (13:74 BB:K in 282 plate appearances this season) still leaves something to be desired, but his resurgent power (31 extra-base hits, .502 slugging percentage) earned him a promotion to the Southern League. Jackson's outlook in dynasty leagues has also improved thanks to a move from outfield to catcher, though it remains uncertain that he'll be able to stick behind the plate at the big-league level.

Caratini went 1-for-4 with his first career home run in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

Caratini is the primary backup to catcher Willson Contreras, but he found himself getting the start at first base in place of Anthony Rizzo in this one. The 23-year-old doesn't really play enough to move the fantasy needle in most leagues, but he might be worth an occasional flier in daily leagues when he finds himself in the lineup.

Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Giants, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Grandal has seven hits in his past 20 at-bats (.350), but given his decline of production against lefties during the past couple of seasons, he'll hit the bench for a night off. Austin Barnes will slot in behind the plate in his stead.

Sanchez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With the Padres activating Austin Hedges (concussion) from the 7-day disabled list Sunday and immediately returning him to the lineup, Sanchez's run of regular playing time behind the plate should come to an end. Sanchez has been a useful option in two-catcher leagues for much of July with a .283 average, four home runs and 11 RBI on the month, but his fantasy value will take a substantial hit now that Hedges is healthy again.

Hedges (concussion) was activated from the 7-day disabled list and is starting at catcher and batting seventh during Sunday's game against the Pirates, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hedges was placed on the 7-day DL on July 18 after being struck in the head with a foul ball. The backstop has passed his concussion testing and is set to rejoin the Padres lineup. He'll look to improve upon his .218 average moving forward.