MLB Player News

Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Grandal had two hits Saturday to end a 2-for-18 slump, but he'll take a maintenance day in the series finale. Manny Pina will start behind the dish and bat seventh Sunday in his stead.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

Gomes went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a walk Saturday, but he'll head to the bench Sunday for the third time in the last four games. Kurt Suzuki is starting behind the plate and batting seventh in the series finale.

Mejia was removed from Saturday's game against the Cardinals with a right forearm contusion after being hit by a pitch.

Mejia was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the second inning and remained in to run the bases, but he was removed for a pinch hitter later in the inning as the Friars batted around. The severity of the issue remains unclear, but there's a solid chance Mejia will be out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale.

Mejia is not in Friday's lineup against the Cardinals.

He is 7-for-23 (.304 AVG) with two home runs in seven games since rejoining the big club June 17. Austin Hedges will start behind the dish, hitting eighth.

Diaz is not in the lineup Friday for the second day in a row.

Diaz has not ceded the starting catcher spot by any means, but fellow backstop Jacob Stallings will be rewarded with a second straight start after going 3-for-3 with a homer in Thursday's contest. Chances are Diaz will be back behind the plate for the Pirates' next game Saturday.

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

With Jorge Alfaro returning from a concussion, Castillo will head back down for the time being. Castillo only recorded one hit in seven at-bats with Miami, but regardless his is one of the best feel-good stories of the year in baseball; it took him a decade, but Castillo managed to claw his way back to the big leagues.

Barnhart was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain Friday.

Barnhart was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to the injury and will require at least a 10-day absence. Curt Casali should see the bulk of the time behind the plate while he's sidelined.

Campusano is slashing .326/.398/.515 through High-A Lake Elsinore through 227 at-bats.

The 20-year-old backstop posted a pedestrian .710 OPS in Low-A last season, but he's taken a big step forward offensively with the Storm, as his .326 average currently leads the California League, and he's also mashed eight homers in 62 games. Perhaps most impressively, he's posted a 28:33 BB:K, which has contributed to the stellar .398 on-base percentage. He's also a well-regarded defender, so Campusano has become an all-around standout prospect in his third professional season.

Caratini went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 9-7 win over the Braves.

Caratini hit his second home run of the season as part of a four-run fifth inning for the Cubs. The 25-year-old is stuck as the backup to Willson Contreras behind the plate, as well as Anthony Rizzo at first base, but he's been productive when he plays as he now has a .293/.376/.467 slash line this season in 75 at-bats.

Stallings went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, two RBI, two runs and a walk in the Pirates' 10-0 win over the Astros on Thursday.

The 29-year-old backstop had an active day from the ninth spot in the order, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances and swatting his first long ball of the season with a sixth-inning solo shot off Cy Sneed. Stallings was brought up out of necessity after Francisco Cervelli (concussion) hit the injured list, but he's done well with his opportunity so far, as this big day at the plate brings his slash line up to .341/.400/.439 through 45 plate appearances.