MLB Player News

Realmuto (hamstring) is catching and batting fifth Tuesday against the Braves.

Realmuto exited Sunday's matchup against the Marlins with a left hamstring issue, but he's returned to the starting nine following a day off Monday. He's pieced together back-to-back multi-hit performances and will look to keep it rolling at the dish in Tuesday's series opener.

Diaz isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

Diaz collected a base knock and a walk in Monday's series opener, but he'll ride the bench Tuesday. Jacob Stallings will handle the catching duties and bat eighth in Diaz's absence.

Grandal failed to record a hit but walked three times and collected an RBI and a run Monday in the Brewers' 8-6 win.

Aside from smacking a ball foul in the sixth inning, Grandal didn't even make contact in any of his five plate appearances on the night but still managed to fill the leadoff role admirably. He took 26 pitches on the night and gave the Brewers the lead for good in the top of the seventh, when he walked with the bases loaded. Grandal is now slashing .222/.400/.519 out of the table-setting role and should stick atop the lineup regularly with Lorenzo Cain displaying few signs of breaking out of his season-long funk.

Casali is not in the lineup Tuesday against Milwaukee.

Casali is now the Reds' primary catcher with Tucker Barnhart out with an oblique injury, but he won't start every day. Kyle Farmer gets the nod behind the plate in his absence.

Mejia (forearm) is catching and batting sixth Monday against the Giants.

Mejia was held out of Sunday's matchup after suffering a bruised right forearm Saturday, but he's been cleared to take the field for the series opener. He's batting .286 with two home runs and three RBI over his last 10 contests.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Contreras will just be getting a routine day off after starting behind the plate in six of the Cubs' last seven contests. The newly-minted All-Star will give way to No. 2 catcher Victor Caratini in the series opener in Pittsburgh.

Realmuto was removed from Sunday's game against the Marlins due to a left hamstring injury, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto's injury doesn't appear to be serious, as he stated after the contest that he could have remained in the game if the score were closer. The Phillies have a scheduled off day Monday, so Realmuto's next opportunity to return will come Tuesday against the Braves.

Mejia (forearm) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Mejia was forced to leave Saturday's game after sustaining a right forearm bruise after being hit by a pitch. The severity of the injury is not yet known. Austin Hedges will start behind the plate in his place Sunday.

Barnes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barnes has scuffled in June with a .419 OPS in 17 games, so he'll head to the bench Sunday. Russell Martin will start behind the plate and bat eighth in the series finale.

Casali will start at catcher and bat ninth Sunday against the Cubs, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Casali will draw a sixth consecutive turn behind the dish and should operate as the Reds' primary backstop for the foreseeable future with Tucker Barnhart (oblique) facing an extended absence. The surge in playing time makes Casali a must-own player in NL-only formats and probably makes him worth grabbing in deeper mixed leagues that start two backstops as well. Casali's .756 OPS on the season places him 18th among all catchers who have received at least 140 plate appearances this season.