MLB Player News

Diaz clubbed a three-run home run Thursday and finished the day 1-for-4 with four RBI against the Dodgers.

Diaz's three-run blast off of Brock Stewart brought the Pirates within two runs of the visiting Dodgers and marked his fourth home run of the season. He plays sparingly behind Francisco Cervelli, but Diaz manages to produce when given the opportunity. He was slashing .286/.342/.443 over 70 at-bats entering Thursday.

Grandal went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in Thursday's win over the Pirates.

Thursday's tough outing dropped Grandal's slash line to .243/.341/.442 on the year. Grandal is just 3-for-15 in June with six strikeouts. He has had success against right-handed pitching, however, which bodes well for his chances to turn things around over the weekend with the Dodgers facing right-handers Friday and Saturday in Atlanta.

Contreras is out of the lineup versus Philadelphia on Thursday.

Contreras will get a breather during the series finale after starting the past four games, including a two-hit showing in Wednesday's victory. In his place, Chris Gimenez will catch Tyler Chatwood and bat eighth in the order.

Realmuto is out of the lineup against St. Louis on Thursday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto will get a standard day off after starting the past eight games, including going 3-for-4 with three extra-base hits during Wednesday's tilt. In his place, Bryan Holaday will catch Trevor Richards and bat eighth.

Barnhart is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against Colorado, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Barnhart will receive a typical day off for maintenance purposes following three straight starts behind the plate. In his place, Curt Casali will catch Tyler Mahle and bat sixth.

Grandal is out of the lineup against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Grandal will get a typical breather after starting the past three games. In his stead, Austin Barnes will catch and bat eighth in the order.

Hedges (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment in the near future after traveling with the Padres on Friday as the team begins a 10-game road trip, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hedges has been out since the end of April due to right elbow tendinitis. He previously played in two rehab games with Triple-A El Paso a couple weeks ago but suffered a setback and required a little more time off. It appears as though he's on track for activation at some point next week, assuming that he rejoins the Chihuahuas around the end of this weekend or by the start of next week.

Hedges (elbow) completed batting practice Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Now that the backstop has resumed throwing and hitting, he could soon be ready for minor-league rehab action after being pulled off his previous assignment at Triple-A El Paso in late May when he incurred a setback. Hedges has been on the 10-day disabled list for more than a month due to right elbow tendinitis, paving the way for Raffy Lopez to serve as the Padres' primary catcher.

Mesoraco (hamstring) is not in the lineup against Baltimore on Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Mesoraco will sit for the third straight contest after experiencing tightness in his hamstring following Sunday's game. He will have an extra day to recover with the Mets receiving a scheduled off day Thursday before hosting the Yankees. Kevin Plawecki will catch and bat sixth Wednesday.

Mesoraco (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Mesoraco will remain sidelined for Tuesday's series opener as he continues to deal with hamstring tightness. He should be considered day-to-day. Kevin Plawecki is starting behind the dish Tuesday.