MLB Player News

Grandal (forearm) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports.

Though he was expected to make his first start of the season Tuesday, Grandal is not in the lineup for the Dodgers' home opener. It's unclear at this point whether he'll be available off the bench as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement Tuesday, but A.J Ellis will serve as the Dodgers' backstop against the Diamondbacks.

Grandal (forearm) finished his rehab stint Sunday and is expected to be activated for Tuesday's home opener against Arizona, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The health of Scott Van Slyke (back) may ultimately determine the Dodgers' course of action to clear space on the roster for Grandal's return. Nevertheless, he's expected to be in the lineup Tuesday.

Maldonado went 0-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's victory over the Astros.

Maldonado made his first start of the season Sunday with Jonathan Lucroy getting the day off. The backup backstop will play sparingly for now, but if Lucroy gets traded as has been rumored, Maldonado would be the favorite to take over as the Brewers' regular catcher.

Rupp will be back in the starting lineup Monday against the Padres, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Manager Pete Mackanin was planning to start Carlos Ruiz in the Phillies' home opener, but wants to keep Rupp paired up with Aaron Nola. Rupp has three hits in 12 at-bats thus far this season.

Stewart went 2-for-4 Sunday with a solo shot, his first home run of the season.

He was making his first start of the season behind the plate, as Francisco Cervelli played in the first five games and went 7-for-18 (.289). As long as Cervelli stays hot at the plate, at-bats will be few and far between for Stewart.

Grandal (forearm) went 0-for-2 and caught for six innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Grandal was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City for a rehab assignment after starting the season on the disabled list. Holding up for six innings is a good indicator that he's ready to return to the major leagues, perhaps as early as Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Grandal (forearm) is scheduled to play one more rehabilitation game for Triple-A Oklahoma City before being activated for Tuesday's home opener against Arizona, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

Grandal was 2-for-2 on Saturday, and with A.J. Ellis (2-for-15) and Austin Barnes (1-for-10) both off to slow starts, Grandal's return to the lineup will be very welcome.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Sunday that Diaz (elbow) is still feeling discomfort, but that it isn't ligament related.

Speaking on his weekly radio show, Huntington believes there's "still a good, positive prognosis in there." The Pirates continue to rest his throwing arm to allow the elbow time for recovery.

D'Arnaud is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Phillies.

D'Arnaud has started each of the first four games of the season for New York, collecting just one base hit in his first 12 at-bats. He'll get a day off to clear his head, with Kevin Plawecki set to replace him and catch Sunday's starter, Matt Harvey.

Rupp is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets.

Chalk this up as a regular maintenance day for Rupp, who started the first two games of the series for the Phillies. Veteran Carlos Ruiz will man the backstop in his stead.