MLB Player News

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Saturday against the Pirates, MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco will get a day off, as the Reds will insert Tucker Barnhart at catcher. Expect to see Mesoraco back behind the plate for Sunday's series finale.

Grandal (forearm) caught eight innings and hit a game-tying home run in a rehab game at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday night. He finished 1-for-2 with a solo homer and a pair of walks.

Although the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate lost in extra innings, that Grandal was able to make it through the bulk of a game behind the plate is a good sign. It's expected that he'll see additional game action in his rehab assignment before a potential return for the Dodgers' home opener Tuesday.

Barnhart got the start at catcher Friday and went 3-for-3 with two runs against the Phillies.

Barnhart replaced Devin Mesoraco in the starting lineup and reached base in all four of his at-bats. The start came in order to give Mesoraco a chance to rest as he's coming off an injury-riddled season.

Grandal (forearm) is expected to be active by the Dodgers' home opener Tuesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old has been rehabbing in Triple-A Oklahoma City, but manager David Roberts stated that he will likely join the team next Tuesday. A healthy Grandal is one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, as his performance in the first half of last season demonstrated. Until he returns, A.J. Ellis and Austin Barnes will continue to share time behind the dish, with Barnes likely getting sent down upon his activation.

Realmuto will bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Nationals, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto got off to a slow start in his first two games, going just 1-for-9 and striking out three times. The 25-year-old will look to get back to form in a matchup with Tanner Roark and the Nationals on Thursday.

Rupp is out of the lineup Thursday against the Reds, Ryan Lawrence of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Rupp was passed over in favor of Carlos Ruiz on Opening Day, but returned to the starting lineup Wednesday evening. With a day game immediately on tap, manager Pete Mackanin decided to give the 27-year-old backstop the day off.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Thursday against the Phillies, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

Mesoraco was back in the lineup Wednesday, despite taking a slight accidental shot to the head by Maikel Franco's bat Monday. Although he appears to have been cleared of concussion symptoms, the 27-year-old backstop will get regular rest for a day game. Tucker Barnhart will be called upon to take over catching duties.

Grandal (forearm) will participate in a simulated game on Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group reports.

This is in line with an expected return before April 12 for Grandal, so he should be good to go by the Dodgers' home opener barring any setbacks. His return will likely push Austin Barnes into the minors.

Barnes is out of the lineup on Wednesday.

After starting at catcher and batting eighth on Tuesday, Barnes will sit for Wednesday's game. With Yasmani Grandal (forearm) on the DL, Barnes is splitting time with A.J. Ellis behind the dish. Ellis also started Monday on Opening Day for the Dodgers. Barnes went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Tuesday.

Rupp is in the lineup Wednesday against the Reds, batting sixth and catching.

The Phillies decided to go with Carlos Ruiz behind the plate on Opening Day as a kind gesture to the veteran backstop, but Rupp will slot into the lineup for the second game of the year. Manager Pete Mackanin stated that he expects Rupp to be the starting catcher most of the time, so he should be in the lineup more often than not going forward.