MLB Player News

Mesoraco is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies.

Mesoraco took a bat to the temple on Maikel Franco's follow-through swing Monday and felt woozy afterward, but stayed in the game. The off-day Tuesday didn't hurt his chances of returning Wednesday night.

Grandal (forearm) caught a bullpen session Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

With the forearm holding up well to Tuesday's activity, Grandal has been cleared to play in a simulated game Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Grandal being ready for the team's April 12 home opener despite a slight setback with the injury last weekend. A.J. Ellis and Austin Barnes are splitting the workload in the meantime.

Barnes will catch and bat eighth against the Padres on Tuesday.

After sitting in favor of A.J. Ellis on Opening Day, Barnes will slot into the lineup Tuesday for his ninth start at the major league level. With Yasmani Grandal (forearm) on the DL, the door is open for Barnes to split time behind the plate in the short term, and manager Dave Roberts suggested the team could keep three catchers after Grandal's return.

Mesoraco said he felt initially woozy after getting hit in the head by Maikel Franco's bat in Monday's game, but it cleared up quickly and he was able to remain in the game, the Cincinnati Enquirer's Zach Buchanan reports.

Given Mesoraco's history of several concussions, it is important to keep an eye on this situation even though it appears that he made it through Monday's game OK. Incidentally, Mesoraco went 0-for-4 with a strikeout against the Phillies on Monday.

Rupp is not in the lineup for Monday's season opener against the Reds, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports.

Rupp will be the Phillies' regular catcher this season, but he will give way to Ruiz on Monday, as manager Pete Mackanin wants to give the veteran Ruiz the honor of starting Opening Day. Expect Rupp to be behind the plate for the Phillies' next game Wednesday.

Grandal (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day DL, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

Grandal's placement on the DL confirms what had been reported earlier this weekend. While Grandal is on the shelf, look for A.J. Ellis to serve as the primary backstop, with Austin Barnes handling backup duties. Look for Grandal to target a return for the Dodgers' home opener on April 12.

Mesoraco (general soreness) will start on Opening Day, John Fay reports.

Mesoraco's scratch Saturday had a lot to do with the cold weather. It does illustrate, however, that with him coming back from his hip injury, he might be more prone to getting days off than other starting catchers, especially early in the season.

Diaz (elbow) was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Diaz was a likely candidate to start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, but due his standing on the 40-man roster, the Pirates will be able to stash him on the 15-day DL until he's healthy once again. He figures to remain only an organizational depth option at catcher for the Pirates while Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart remain healthy.

Grandal (forearm) will open the season on the disabled list, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

He came out of Friday feeling "OK" but "not great," according to manager Dave Roberts, and the decision was made to keep Grandal on the minor league side Saturday. Still with the ability to backdate a DL stint, the Dodgers can buy Grandal a little extra time to recover and look to get him back closer to 100 percent in time for their April 12 home opener. Roberts suggested the team could keep three catchers on the roster once Grandal's back from the DL.

Bethancourt has made the Opening Day roster.

As expected, Bethancourt will open as San Diego's backup catcher. The news was made official Saturday, with the Padres optioning Austin Hedges to Triple-A El Paso.