MLB Player News

Grandal will sit out Friday's matchup with the Giants.

The Dodgers used Thursday as an opportunity to give Grandal a day off, and as expected he will not return until Saturday. A.J. Ellis will continue catching for Clayton Kershaw, as he is expected to going forward this season.

Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

With Chris Hatcher returning from paternity leave, the Dodgers needed to free up a roster spot and Barnes was the guy they chose to send down to the minors. The 26-year-old has started three games at catcher and one at second base for the Dodgers on the young season, and while he hasn't committed an error in the field, he's struggled at the plate. He's hitting .133 with a run and RBI over 15 plate appearances. However, given he's a career .300 hitter in the minors, he'll be a likely call up if the Dodgers have a roster spot to fill.

Mesoraco (leg) remains out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

A sore right leg will keep Mesoraco on the bench again Friday, affording Tucker Barnhart his third straight start behind the dish. It's not the same leg that was so troublesome last year -- it was the left hip Mesoraco had operated on -- but some concern is starting to mount at this point. Jordan Pacheco is the only other catcher option on the active roster.

Rupp is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Rupp will take a rest day as Carlos Ruiz steps in and gets the start. The 27-year-old went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's game against the Padres, dropping his average to .217 for the season.

Diaz (elbow) is suffering from lateral elbow discomfort and may yet be a candidate for Tommy John surgery. "The doctors are focused on the lateral (outside) of the elbow," trainer Todd Tomczyk told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The news is discouraging as the organization felt confident Diaz would avoid going under the knife. The catcher hasn't reacted well to a prescription of arm rest since spring training.

Mesoraco (leg) could return to the lineup Friday, MLB.com reports.

The ailment that's kept Mesoraco on the bench for two games has been officially labeled right leg tightness. The 27-year-old underwent surgery last summer to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. Tucker Barnhart is starting in place of Mesoraco again Thursday.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Diamondbacks.

After making his first start of the season Wednesday, Grandal will be replaced behind the plate by A.J Ellis for Thursday's series finale. Grandal went 0-for-3 with a walk Wednesday and might not be back in the lineup until Saturday given that Clayton Kershaw, who is starting Friday, is usually caught by Ellis.

Barnhart is in the lineup and hitting eighth for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Barnhart will receive his second consecutive start while Devin Mesoraco continues to deal with right leg tightness. The Indianapolis native has filled in nicely for the Reds, hitting .444/.545/.444 in 11 plate appearances this season.

Mesoraco (leg) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Mesoraco is hitting a lowly .105 to start 2016 and has now missed back-to-back games with right leg tightness. It is unclear whether Mesoraco will return for the Reds' weekend series with St. Louis, but Tucker Barnhart will take over the catching duties for the Reds until he is back.

Mesoraco is dealing with tightness in his right leg, which is presumably why he is out of the lineup Wednesday, the Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans reports.

Last year he had surgery on his left leg, and he said this feels very different from what he dealt with last year. It is unclear how serious this latest issue will turn out to be for Mesoraco, but he was already off to a poor start at the plate, and for him to already be dealing with lower-body tightness/soreness has to be frustrating for his owners. Tucker Barnhart will start at catcher and hit eighth Wednesday.