MLB Player News

Bud Black confirmed Tuesday that newcomer Austin Hedges will receive a significant opporunity to play behind the plate for the Padres.

"I think he makes our roster better," Black told MLB Network Radio. "Derek Norris is our catcher but Austin is going to get playing time."

Norris has certainly not done anything at the plate to warrant a decrease in work. He owns a slash line of .323/.343/.500 with two home runs and 16 RBI. Hedges has been equally impressive in Triple-A with a .343 mark and two homers in 67 at-bats.

Black offered that Norris could be moved on occasion to first base when Hedges catches.

The Mets will promote catcher Johnny Monell prior to Tuesday's game against the Orioles. It is unknown what the corresponding move will be.

The 29-year-old Monell is batting .397 (23 for 58) with a .455 on-base percentage, .638 slugging percentage and 1.092 OPS in 17 games for Triple-A Las Vegas. He also has two doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI.

The Padres have officially called up catching prospect Austin Hedges from Triple-A El Paso and designated catcher Wil Nieves for assignment, the team announced Monday.

Hedges hit .343 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 67 at-bats in Triple-A. He has spent the first four-plus seasons of his career in the Padres' farm system and is considered the No. 4 prospect in the organization, according to Baseball America.

Manager Bud Black said Monday Hedges will make a start during their series against San Francisco.

Nieves was hitting just .077 with one home run and four RBI in 13 at-bats this season.

After hitting a walk-off home run to defeat the Diamondbacks on Sunday, Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal said he hopes recent changes to his approach are starting to pay off, reports the Los Angeles Times.

"I've been trying to be more aggressively lately," he said.

Along with a shoulder issue, Grandal said his approach at the plate also led to his batting average dropping to .179 before raising it to .230.

"You have to look behind and who's hitting behind you," he said. "If you just get on first and you let the guy do his job, we're going to be good."

The Padres are set to call up their top prospect catcher Austin Hedges, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Hedges was hitting .343 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 67 at-bats for Triple-A El Paso. Hedges was one of the final cuts for San Diego in spring training, going 2 for 13 with a walk.

Yasmani Grandal led off the bottom of the 13th inning Sunday with a home run to break a scoreless game and send the Dodgers over the Diamondbacks.

Grandal entered the game as a pinch hitter in the 10th inning and stayed in to catch.

Diamondbacks reliever Evan Marshall (0-2) served up the walk-off blast.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Grandal has started seven of the last eight games behind the plate but will cede catching duties to A.J. Eliis Sunday. Third baseman Juan Uribe is back in the lineup as expected, while Alex Guerrero is in left field for a second straight game but has been moved up to the fifth spot in the order after batting eighth Saturday. It's the first time this season Guerrero has slotted higher than sixth.

The Dodgers are favorites (-145) against the Diamondbacks Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon is not in the lineup for the first time this season Sunday, while third baseman Martin Prado is receiving his second day off in his team's matchup with the Phillies.

Gordon has led off all season, while Prado has been the team's No. 2 hitter for the last games with Christian Yelich out. With the pair on the bench. left fielder Ichiro Suzuki will lead off against the Phillies, while shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria will bat second.

The Marlins are also giving catcher J.T. Realmuto a break after starting the team's last eight games. Jhonatan Solano will draw the start behind the plate in his place.

The Marlins are heavy favorites (-185) Sunday.

Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

The Reds are sending a tough righty to the mound in the form of Johnny Cueto, but the Braves will allow lefty-swinging Pierzynski, who has hit .377/.400/.604 in 53 at-bats and is the only Atlanta player with an OPS north of .850, a day of rest. Christian Bethancourt will draw the start behind the plate and bat seventh.

The Braves are home underdogs (+134) Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

Reds outfielders Billy Hamilton and Marlon Byrd are joining catcher Devin Mesoraco (hip) on the bench for Sunday's game against the Braves.

Hamilton is getting a break after making 11 straight starts out of the leadoff spot, while Byrd has seen 11 straight starts in left field. It's just a regular day off for both players, who will get a two-day break due to the team's scheduled off-day Monday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Both Hamilton and Byrd are available if needed Sunday. With the pair out, Skip Schumaker will lead off and play left field, while Brennan Boesch will bat seventh and play center field.

Mesoraco hasn't appeared in the starting lineup since the first week of the season, as he's continued to rehab from a left hip impingement while remaining on the active roster.

The Reds are road favorites (-142) in Atlanta with Johnny Cueto on the mound.