MLB Player News

Hedges went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-6 win over Cincinnati.

Hedges has now started two consecutive games after retreating to the bench in favor of Francisco Mejia over the previous two. This falls in line with manager Andy Green's plan to split starts between the young catchers. The timeshare is obviously less favorable for Hedges' fantasy owners, as he was the unquestioned starter when healthy this year, but he is providing enough pop (.200 isolated power mark) to maintain value in deeper formats.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Grandal will sit for the second straight game as left-hander Tyler Anderson takes the mound for the Rockies. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate as Grandal is slashing .091/.262/.182 in 42 plate appearances over his last 15 games.

Caratini went 1-for-4 with a grand slam Saturday in the Cubs' 6-5 loss to the Nationals in the second game of a doubleheader.

After failing to leave the yard over his first 54 appearances of the season, Caratini has now gone deep twice over his last four starts. In addition to supplying most of Chicago's offense in the second half of the twin bill, Caratini added two base hits off the bench in the team's 10-3 loss in the first game.

Contreras is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Contreras will retreat to the bench for Game 2 of Saturday's twin bill after going 1-for-3 with an RBI in the first contest. In his place, Victor Caratini will be behind the dish.

Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against the Rockies.

Grandal has just one hit in his last eight games. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate in his place.

Plawecki is not starting Saturday against the Phillies.

Plawecki took a pitch off his ribs in Wednesday's game and was forced to exit, but he was able to start Friday. There's no indication that Saturday's day off is anything other than a routine one. Tomas Nido will get the start behind the plate.

Barnhart is out of the starting nine versus San Diego on Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Barnhart will get a standard day off following a pair of starts behind the plate. Curt Casali will handle the catching duties and bat sixth.

Realmuto is out of the lineup versus the Pirates on Saturday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto will receive a breather following nine straight starts, during which he's hitting .343 with four home runs and eight RBI. In his place, Bryan Holaday will handle the catching duties and bat seventh.

Mesoraco will miss at least one more week after receiving an epidural injection for his neck discomfort Friday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Mesoraco has been battling the neck issue since late August. Previous reports suggested that the epidural could lead to him being shut down for the season, though now it appears that he still has a chance to return. The Mets have little reason to risk injury in a lost season, however, and with two other catchers on their expanded roster, they could well choose to shut him down.

Plawecki (ribs) is starting Friday against the Phillies.

Plawecki exited Wednesday's game against the Dodgers after getting hit in the ribs by a pitch. His post-game CT scan was negative and he's good to go without missing a single start.