MLB Player News

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.

Diaz has started only two of the last seven games, going 2-for-7 with three walks.

His playing time has slowed considerably with the return of starter Francisco Cervelli. It was thought the team might use Cervelli at first base occasionally, thereby getting Diaz's bat in the lineup, but Jose Osuna and David Freese have shared first base duties with Josh Bell (oblique) out. Diaz showed he can play every day -- he started 15 of 20 games to start July -- but he'll need to wait for Cervelli's next injury before seeing consistent action again.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup against the Braves on Thursday.

Mesoraco will receive a breather after going 1-for-3 during Wednesday's loss to the Nationals. Kevin Plawecki will handle the catching duties and bat seventh during the series opener.

The Braves promoted Contreras from Low-A Rome to High-A Florida on Wednesday, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

The younger brother of Cubs All-Star backstop Willson Contreras, William earned the call to the Florida State League after supplying an .823 OPS in 342 plate appearances at Rome. Contreras hasn't performed as effectively as expected this season in controlling the run game, but the Braves will let him continue to work out the defensive kinks at Florida while he faces higher-caliber pitching.

Grandal went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in Wednesday's win over the Brewers.

Grandal played the hero in this one, getting the Dodgers on the board with a solo shot in the fifth then providing the walk-off two-run blast in the bottom of the 10th. The 29-year-old had a terrific July, hitting .364/.488/.727 with six home runs in the month, and isn't showing any signs of slowing down now that the calendar's flipped to August. His 19 homers and 56 RBI lead all NL backstops, and rank behind only Evan Gattis -- who has caught a total of four innings in 2018 -- among all qualified catchers.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's win over the Pirates.

Contreras posted a strong all-around game, capped off with a two-run home run in the eighth inning. On the season, the 26-year-old catcher is now batting .283 with an .830 OPS and nine home runs.

Campusano was placed on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion Wednesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Campusano was diagnosed with a "mild concussion" after taking a foul ball off his mask. He'll be eligible to return in a week if he manages to clear concussion protocol.

Murphy is not in the lineup against the Cardinals on Wednesday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Murphy will receive a breather following four straight starts, during which he's gone just 2-for-17 with three RBI and seven strikeouts. In his place, Chris Iannetta will handle the catching duties and bat eighth.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Detroit.

Barnhart will head to the bench after going 0-for-3 during Tuesday's contest. In his absence, Curt Casali will handle the catching duties and bat eighth. Look for Barnhart to rejoin the starting nine for Thursday's series opener in Washington.

Realmuto went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Braves.

He capped off an impressive July with his 14th homer of the year. Realmuto finished the month with a .314/.347/.512 slash line, four home runs, 14 runs and 18 RBI in 21 games, and the catcher remains the one consistent bright spot in an otherwise drab Marlins lineup.