MLB Player News

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Pirates.

Grandal followed up his 12th home run Tuesday with another strong day at the plate Wednesday. The switch-hitting catcher has gotten off to a 7-for-10 start through four July contests, after struggling mightily in the month of June (.162/.197/.324). Grandal will still cede starts to Austin Barnes against southpaws, but the streaky hitter appears to be locked in at the dish for the time being.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a solo home run and three RBI in Wednesday's win over the Tigers.

Contreras played a key role in sending the Wrigley Field crowd home happy on the Fourth of July. His sixth-inning home run broke a 2-2 tie, then he tacked on some insurance runs for the Cubs in the seventh with a double that plated two more. The young catcher has been locked in lately, going 13-for-29 over his last eight games with two home runs and 10 RBI.

Diaz will make his 12th straight start Wednesday and bat cleanup against the Dodgers.

He's slashing .316/.357/.605 in 42 plate appearances since taking over for Francisco Cervelli (concussion). Diaz is proving that he could become a viable full-time option in the event that Cervelli remains out indefinitely or is traded.

Mesoraco (head) passed a second concussion test Wednesday and will be available off the bench for the Mets' game against the Blue Jays, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The backstop took a couple blows to the head in Tuesday's game, but he was fortunate to avoid any concussion symptoms, which would have necessitated a week-long stay on the disabled list. It appears Mesoraco's absence from the lineup Wednesday is strictly precautionary and he should be ready to step back in behind the plate in Friday's series opener against the Rays.

Mesoraco is not in Wednesday's lineup after suffering a head injury during Tuesday's game, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Mesoraco was removed from Tuesday's outing after getting hit in the head on a backswing. He was able to pass through concussion protocol, but manager Mickey Callaway will give him a chance to rest with a scheduled off day coming Thursday. Kevin Plawecki will handle the catching duties.

Hedges is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Athletics.

Hedges will get a routine breather with the Padres and Athletics playing a day game after a night game, allowing A.J. Ellis to receive a turn behind the plate. In the Padres' 6-2 loss Tuesday, Hedges went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts. He has recorded only four hits in 19 at-bats since returning from the disabled list June 24.

Caratini was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and will start at first base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Though he'll see work in the field in his first game action with the Cubs since May 22, Caratini projects to see the bulk of his time behind the plate during his latest stint with Chicago. Caratini will take over as the backup catcher behind Willson Contreras after Chris Gimenez was designated for assignment Wednesday in a corresponding move.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Rays, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

To little surprise, Realmuto will head to the bench for the matinee contest after he played all 16 innings -- including 12 behind the plate -- in Tuesday's 9-6 loss. Bryan Holaday will draw the nod at catcher in the series finale, working in a battery with starting pitcher Jose Urena.

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run and a pair of runs scored in Tuesday's win over Pittsburgh.

After a strong start to the campaign, Grandal's bat had really cooled off in the month of June (.162/.197/.324). The catcher's prolonged slump caused him to revert back to being on the strong side of a platoon with Austin Barnes after serving as the Dodgers' primary catcher early on. Still, Grandal should receive enough playing time against righties in order for his power (12 homers, .211 isolated power) to remain relevant in most fantasy formats.

Mesoraco exited Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays after being hit in the head on a backswing, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic New York reports.

Mesoraco already cleared the concussion protocol, but the team is likely to monitor him closely over the next couple days. The 29-year-old seems unlikely to be in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale in Toronto, but could seemingly return Friday against the Ray with Thursday's off day providing an additional day to recover.