MLB Player News

Padres catcher Derek Norris is out of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers. Norris had started each of the last five games, collecting just three hits in 18 at-bats over that stretch. 

Rookie Austin Hedges will make just his fourth start of his career, as he will be behind the plate and bat eighth for manager Bud Black. 

The Dodgers have placed catcher Yasmani Grandal on the 7-day disabled list with a head injury. On Friday, Grandal was hit in the mask on Yangervis Solarte's back swing in the third inning, and then caught a foul ball off the mask in the fourth. He was able to take his turn at bat in the bottom of the fourth, but was removed from the game.

"Just looking at him, he stepped out twice before he hit the ball to center, when he came back in Stan [Conte, team trainer] was paying close attention to him," manager Don Mattingly said, per TrueBlue LA.

He was evaluated after the game and early reports indicated he passed concussion tests. But, the team decided to place him on the DL to give him time to recover. Mattingly did say Grandal had a "mild concussion" and could be able to return in a couple of days. 

Rookie Austin Barnes is being promoted from Triple-A to take Grandal's spot on the roster. 

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco suffered a setback with the impingement in his left hip, leaving his status for the rest of the season in jeopardy, per MLB.com. Mesoraco, who has not been able to catch in a game since April 12, has been limited to pinch-hitting or designated-hitter duty.

He was initially optimistic after testing his hip by doing some crouching Tuesday in Kansas City. However, he tried squatting 15 times and giving signs on Friday, and that didn't go as well.

"In Kansas City, it went OK. But afterwards it started feeling like it did at the beginning. [Friday] we went out there and I had a hard time getting through what I was supposed to do," Mesoraco said. "It didn't go very well."

Mesoraco was expected to DH in all five games in AL parks this week. But after playing in both games at Kansas City, he wasn't in the lineup Friday or Saturday at Cleveland and might not be in the lineup for the foreseeable future.

"I think he'll be available to pinch-hit, but I don't think at this point in time, he'll be ready to be even a four or five at-bat designated hitter today and tomorrow," manager Bryan Price said. "I just don't think we're going to see a lot of Devin here in the days and weeks to come.

"The decision to be made by Devin and the club is pending so I'd rather not say what the next course of action is. I don't anticipate him being able to influence our club as a regular player any time soon."

Mesoraco, who might need surgery, said he plans to go over his options with the medical staff after the current road trip.

"I certainly haven't been able to do a whole lot this year to help the team," he saiid. "That's definitely been very tough for me. I expected to come in, hit in the middle of the lineup, catch every day and it hasn't worked out like that."

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment during the middle of next week, per ESPN.com.

D'Arnaud has been on the disabled list since April 19, when he suffered a fractured pinkie after being hit by a pitch from Marlins reliever A.J. Ramos.

D'Arnaud was hitting .317/.356/.537 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 41 at-bats before his injury.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal was taken out of Friday's game against the Padres after he suffered a head injury, reports MLB.com.

After the game, manger Don Mattingly he was unsure if Grandal had suffered a concussion. He will be assessed Saturday for further evaluation, but he did pass concussion tests after a bat hit his mask.

Pirates catcher Chris Stewart was the only member of his club to post a multi-hit game in Friday night's 4-1 victory over the Mets. 

Stewart went 2 for 3 from the plate, which included hitting his third double of the season. The double came in the second inning and scored Gregory Polanco.

This was only Stewart's 15th appearance of the season and 10th start. 

Stewart is now slashing .267/.277/.333 for the season. 

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud took batting practice on Friday, for the first time since going on the disabled list, per ESPN. .

d'Arnaud has been on the 15-day disabled list since mid April with a hand injury., as he nears a return from the disabled list.

Assuming no setbacks, the plan is for d'Arnaud to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week. 

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was not included in the starting lineup for Friday's contest against Cleveland.

Mesoraco has been limited to DH duties because of left hip impingement he suffered in early April. He has appeared in the last two games, and only four games since April 11. He has been taking part in catching drills recently and should be cleared to catch a bullpen session over the weekend.

Mesoraco is hitting .178 (8 for 45) with a double, a triple and two RBI this season.

Cincinnati is an underdog (+145) at Cleveland, per VegasInsider.com.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal is on an interesting run. He has gotten at least one hit in every other game since May 8 and is hitless in the others.

The bottom line is a 7-for-28 stretch that has lowered his batting average from .307 to a still-strong .287. Grandal has been among the pleasant surprises for the Dodgers with a fine .402 on-base percentage. He has 20 walks in 101 at-bats.

With catcher Christian Bethancourt having a poor start to the season, the Braves inquired about Brewers starting catcher Jonathan Lucroy, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. However, the Braves were told he was unavailable.

Bethancourt began the season as the Braves starting catcher, but he was quickly replaced by veteran A.J. Pierzynski after he struggled at and behind the plate.