MLB Player News

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.

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.