MLB Player News

Bethancourt is starting at catcher and batting sixth Thursday against the Pirates.

Derek Norris is in the midst of a modest four-game hit streak, but Bethancourt will assume the catching duties in his place Thursday. He hasn't had many opportunities to play so far this season, but he does have a double and an RBI to his name in those limited appearances.

Murphy has been on the disabled list at Triple-A Albuquerque with a strained left oblique to start the season.

Had Murphy been healthy, he could have served as a fill-in option for Nick Hundley, who is currently on MLB's 7-day DL with a concussion. However, Hundley will probably come off the DL before Murphy, meaning Murphy will get back in the swing of things at Triple-A and attempt to earn a call-up in May or June.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto went just 2-for-22 over his last seven games, and the Marlins are facing Nationals ace Max Scherzer on Thursday, so Realmuto will receive the day off to clear his head. Jeff Mathis will get the start behind the plate in Realmuto's place.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Braves, according to Andy McCullough of the LA Times.

Grandal tallied two hits Wednesday for the third time in four games, but he will get a day off Thursday with Clayton Kershaw on the mound and the Dodgers and Braves playing an early afternoon affair. A.J. Ellis, who regularly catches Kershaw's status, will do so again Thursday.

Rupp is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Mets, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Rupp has been solid at the plate this season, batting .286 with three doubles, but he'll take a seat Wednesday in what appears to be a normal day off. Carlos Ruiz will slot in behind the plate and bat fifth in his place.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, according to MLB.com's Jamie Ramsey.

Mesoraco will be held out of the lineup Wednesday for the second time in three games, but he remains the Reds' primary catcher, and is likely just getting the day off with the Reds playing a day game following a night game. Tucker Barnhart will get the start behind the plate in Mesoraco's place.

D'Arnaud (elbow) is back in the lineup Tuesday and will bat eighth in the order against the Phillies.

D'Arnaud will draw back in behind the plate Tuesday after a two-game absence due to a bruised elbow stemming from when he was hit by a pitch Saturday. Kevin Plawecki, who started in d'Arnaud's absence, will move back to the bench for Tuesday's contest. D'Arnaud will have the tough task of facing the red-hot Vincent Valasquez in his return to the lineup Tuesday. Velasquez is coming off complete game shutout with 16 strikeouts.

Mesoraco is back in the lineup and batting sixth for Tuesday's game against the Rockies.

Mesoraco went 1-for-4 with one RBI and two strikeouts in his last start against the Cardinals on Sunday and will look to break out of his early-season slump against the Rockies.

D'Arnaud (elbow) remains out of the lineup Monday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Kevin Plawecki will make another start behind the plate, while d'Arnaud remains day-to-day for now.

Mesoraco is out of the lineup Monday against the Rockies.

Mesoraco started the previous two games for the Reds after returning from a leg injury, but he'll take the day off to give his leg some more rest. The 27-year-old managed to get a hit in both of those starts, but he has gotten off to a dreadful start at the plate, batting a mere .143. Tucker Barnhart will start behind the plate and bat seventh in his place.