MLB Player News

Hedges went 1-for-3 with a homer and a pair of RBI in Saturday's loss to the Cubs.

Hedges cut the deficit to two with a fourth-inning solo shot off Kyle Hendricks. He brought the Padres to within one with a sixth-inning sacrifice fly, but the team would not score again. The catcher remains strikeout-prone (30.2 percent strikeout rate), but his .244/.302/.433 overall line is good for a 97 wRC+, a perfectly acceptable figure for a backstop.

Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday against the Astros, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grandal started three straight games for the Dodgers, but he will join the other lefties on the bench Saturday as manager Dave Roberts loads the lineup full of right-handed bats to face Lance McCullers -- who owns better splits against left-handed hitters. Look for Grandal to return behind the dish for Sunday's series finale.

Murphy will not start behind the dish in Saturday's game against the Brewers, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy is probably Colorado's best bat among the catchers, but he will sit out his third contest of the last four in the midst of an 0-for-13 stretch. Veteran Chris Iannetta will take on Milwaukee on Saturday in his place, batting eighth.

Mesoraco isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Braves, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After receiving the vast majority of starts behind the dish following his trade from the Reds, Mesoraco has been out of the lineup far more frequently off of late. Saturday marks his sixth breather in the last 10 games, with Kevin Plawecki receiving the nod behind the plate and batting eighth for the Mets.

Barnhart is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Washington, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barnhart will take a seat for the matinee in favor of Curt Casali, though he should be back in the lineup for Game 2. Since the All-Star break, Barnhart is hitting .226/.351/.452 with two home runs and five RBI in 11 games.

Barnhart is not starting Friday against the Nationals.

Barnhart has now been on the bench in favor of Curt Casali in three of the last five games. Barnhart's .247/.332/.364 line is decent enough for a catcher, though Casali has been very hot at the plate, hitting .291/.400/.491 in 66 plate appearances, which could keep him in the lineup on a fairly frequent basis.

Hedges is not starting Friday against the Cubs.

Hedges had a great day at the plate Thursday but won't get the chance to build on it right away. With the game coming in the early afternoon following a night game, A.J. Ellis will start behind the plate instead.

Contreras is not starting Friday against the Padres.

Contreras will sit for a day game after catching the previous night. Victor Caratini will start in his place.

Grandal went 1-for-4 with a double, two walks and two runs Thursday in the Dodgers' 21-5 win over the Brewers.

On a night where the Dodgers matched a season high with seven home runs and scored their most runs in the 56-year history of Dodger Stadium, Grandal's solid showing at the plate was one of the less flashy performances. That doesn't diminish what has been a stellar start to the second half for Grandal, who has been the most valuable fantasy catcher over that span with a .341/.449/.805 slash line to go with six home runs, nine RBI and eight runs. Even if his power production and average dip significantly from here, Grandal is well positioned to continue posting ample counting stats given the caliber of hitters surrounding him in the lineup.

Hedges went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run in the 6-1 win over the Cubs on Thursday.

After missing all of May and most of June with an elbow injury, Hedges has clubbed five home runs since the start of July, bringing him to seven on the season. He owns a .723 OPS in 174 plate appearances after posting a .660 OPS last season, pushing his way back into mixed-league consideration in two-catcher formats.