MLB Player News

D'Arnaud went 4-for-6 with a walk, a triple, a home run, three runs scored and four RBI in Thursday's extra-inning win over the Marlins.

After playing all 16 innings Thursday and giving the Mets the victory with a solo homer in the top of the 16th, expect d'Arnaud to get a well-deserved day off Friday. The 28-year-old is enjoying a tremendous start to 2017, slashing .333/.438/.704 through nine games with two home runs and nine RBI.

Realmuto is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto is off to a blistering start to the season, going 12-for-29 (.414) with two homers, seven runs and six RBI through seven games. He'll head to the bench in favor of A.J. Ellis Thursday, though he'll likely resume his duties behind the dish Friday.

Stewart will start at catcher Thursday afternoon in Boston.

The 34-year-old has played in just one game, going 1-for-3 against Atlanta on April 9. Stewart is looking to stay healthy in 2017 after appearing in only 34 games last season. Starter Francisco Cervelli will get the day off at Fenway.

Contreras is batting fifth in the Cubs' lineup Thursday against the Dodgers.

The catcher gets a lineup bump facing Los Angeles left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. Contreras also gains a bit of value in daily fantasy games with the likelihood of an extra plate appearance. He already should occupy any season-long fantasy lineups when he's active.

Barnhart went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs against the Pirates on Wednesday.

Barnhart has delivered credible production as the Reds' primary catcher with Devin Mesoraco on the DL; it hasn't been impressive for fantasy purposes, but the Reds surely appreciate it.

Sanchez (concussion) is on track to return from the 7-day disabled list over the weekend, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Sanchez was able to catch a bullpen session Wednesday without incident, so unless his concussion-like symptoms resurface in the coming days, it appears he'll be activated at some point during the Padres' four-game series with the Braves, which begins Friday. He'll serve as the primary backup to Austin Hedges upon returning to action.

Hedges went 0-for-4 in Tuesday's loss to the Rockies. He remains hitless in 27 plate appearances.

The 24-year-old is starting to look more like a hitter who owns a .144 career batting average as opposed to the player who slashed .326/.353/.597 in Triple-A last season. With Hector Sanchez (concussion) on the disabled list, there are no immediate threats to Hedges' playing time, but fantasy owners could surely find a catcher on the waiver wire who has at least recorded a hit this season.

D'Arnaud went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer, a walk and three RBI in Tuesday's 14-4 rout of the Phillies.

After a big spring, d'Arnaud opened the season slowly, going just 2-for-14 heading into Tuesday. However, there were positive signs here even before this effort, as he'd struck out just a single time. While d'Arnaud is coming off a bad, injury-shortened campaign, he's still a talented hitter who's put in a lot of work to find his stroke again. Don't dismiss him in deeper formats.

Manager Bryan Price said he anticipates Mesoraco (hip) to return sometime around April 17-20, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco was scheduled to catch a full game at Double-A Pensacola on Monday, and apparently it went off without a hitch. The Reds have been extremely methodical about the 28-year-old's return while working to build up his durability, though it appears he is close to a return after playing in just 39 games over the past two years.

Grandal reached base three times Monday, going 2-for-3 with a walk in a loss to the Cubs.

Manager Dave Roberts has stuck to his word and has been using Grandal in a more traditional role, giving him regular rest on day games following night games as opposed to a strict platoon where he sits against lefties. Monday's start came against the Cubs southpaw Jon Lester, and the switch-hitting catcher came through with a solid offensive line. Grandal is batting just .200 (4-for-20) early on, but with two home runs and three walks through six games, he is doing a great job of replicating his breakout 2016 season.