MLB Player News

Mejia (oblique) took batting practice Monday and could return next week, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mejia swung the bat for the first time since suffering a right oblique strain Aug. 28. Manager Andy Green indicated that Mejia would take batting practice for a few more days before potentially playing in the instructional league. If all goes well, the 23-year-old could return to the Padres next week.

Grandal went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in Monday's 8-3 win over Miami.

After hitting just three homers in July and August combined, Grandal has already launched five in September and four in his last five games. The switch-hitting catcher is up to 26 long balls this season, one short of his career high set in 2016.

Contreras isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

Contreras will take a seat after going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's series finale against Milwaukee. Victor Caratini will draw the start behind the dish and is set to bat fifth.

Gomes went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs and a strikeout Sunday in Atlanta.

He is now hitting .217 with nine home runs on the year. Kurt Suzuki is day-to-day with elbow inflammation, so Gomes is a good bet to continue to see steady work this week.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Smith is merely receiving some routine maintenance after three consecutive starts behind the plate. Backup catcher Russell Martin will form a battery with starting pitcher Julio Urias in the series finale.

Barrera had his contract selected from Double-A Harrisburg by the Nationals on Sunday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

The 24-year-old will provide some additional catching depth after Kurt Suzuki (elbow) got hurt Saturday. Barrera had a .249/.323/.381 slash line with eight home runs in 101 games at Double-A.

Realmuto is not in the lineup Sunday against the Mets.

Realmuto has been on a tear over his last five games, going 10-for-22 with three homers and eight RBI. He'll sit Sunday, with Andrew Knapp filling in behind the plate.

Grandal went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.

Grandal came through in the eighth inning for the Brewers, as his 397-foot shot to center field tied the game 2-2 and set the stage for Christian Yelich's walkoff in the ninth. The veteran backstop has found his power stroke over the last five games, going 8-for-21 with four home runs, a double, six runs scored and five RBI.

Smith went 2-for-3 in a 1-0 loss to the Giants on Saturday.

Smith accounted for exactly half of the Dodgers' hits on the night. The catcher is now batting .273/.345/.641 with 13 homers, 34 RBI and 23 runs scored across 145 plate appearances this year.

Davis was designated for assignment Saturday.

Davis was removed from the 40-man roster to clear a spot for Danny Hultzen, whose contract was purchased in a corresponding move. The 29-year-old has just 39 career big-league plate appearances and is unlikely to be a particularly desirable player on the waiver wire.