MLB Player News

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and catcher Carlos Ruiz are not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

With Utley on the bench, third baseman Cody Asche, who didn't start Saturday's game, slides into the third spot in the lineup. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez and catcher Cameron Rupp will start Sunday and hit in the bottom third of the order.

The Phillies are heavy home underdogs (+180) against the Nationals Sunday.

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Bethancourt is 3 for 15 with one walk, two doubles and two RBI in four games this season. The Braves will use A.J. Pierzynski behind the plate Sunday. Pierzynski, who is 1 for 2 with a walk and a home run, will bat fifth.

The Braves are favorites (-118) against the Mets Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

Mets center fielder Juan Lagares has been moved to the leadoff spot for Sunday's game against the Braves.

Lagares will get the leadoff role with Curtis Granderson being replaced by John Mayberry in Sunday's lineup. The Mets are also giving second baseman Daniel Murphy and catcher Travis d'Arnaud a break from starting Sunday, with Ruben Tejada and Anthony Recker set to start against the Braves.

Manager Terry Collins indicated that while Murphy is fatigued, "his legs are fine," ESPNNewYork.com reports. Tejada was initially set to start ahead of Wilmer Flores Sunday but instead will spell Murphy at second base.

The Mets are underdogs (+104) against the Braves Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Brayan Pena will draw the start behind the plate and bat seventh. Mesoraco is just 2 for 20 in his first five games of the season.

The Reds are underdogs (+105) against the Cardinals Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

The Pirates have moved the rehab assignment of catcher Chris Stewart to Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Stewart began his rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona Thursday. He's dealing with a hamstring injury and could be back with the Pirates this upcoming week.

Diamondbacks catcher Gerald Laird was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Dodgers and replaced by Tuffy Gosewisch.

Laird was the preferred option to work behind the plate with rookie Archie Bradley slated to make his major-league debut, but he is been dealing with back tightness, the team announced. If the team thinks he'll need more than a few days to recover after re-evaluating him Saturday, he could be placed on the disabled list, the Arizona Republic reports.

The Diamondbacks are heavy underdogs (+185) against the Dodgers Saturday.

Pirates catcher Chris Stewart went 0 for 2 with a walk in the first game of his rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona Thursday.

Stewart initially injured his hamstring on March 9, and the issue caused him to open the season on the disabled list. He was also caught trying to steal second base in the third inning Thursday, and ended up catching eight innings before being removed for a pinch hitter in the ninth. Provided he doesn't encounter any setbacks, he could be back with the team soon.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud drove in two runs during a 6-3 win Thursday against the Nationals. He went 2 for 4 with one run.

d'Arnaud got both of his RBI on a bases-loaded single with two outs in the third inning. He is batting .455 (5 for 11) with four RBI in three games.

Pirates reserve catcher Chris Stewart, who began the season on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, will make a rehab start tonight for Double-A Altoona in that team's season opener. 

Stewart, who injured his hamstring on March 9, was expected to split duties with Francisco Cervelli this season. Stewart's injury opened the door for Tony Sanchez to make the club as the No. 2 catcher. 

Stewart hit .294 with 10 RBIs last season in 49 games. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Diamondbacks.

Belt left Tuesday's game with a groin injury and was scheduled to undergo an MRI Wednesday. With the first baseman sidelined, catcher Buster Posey will shift to first base and Hector Sanchez will enter the game at catcher.

The Giants will also start Matt Duffy at second base and Justin Maxwell in right field Wednesday, sending Joe Panik and Gregor Blanco to the bench.