MLB Player News

Barnhart is on the bench Sunday against San Diego, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barnhart started nine of the Reds' first 11 games, but he and Curt Casali have been alternating starts over the last eight. Casali will take his turn Sunday.

Realmuto is on the bench Sunday against Colorado.

Realmuto continues to have a heavy workload for a catcher, with Sunday's off day just his third time out of the lineup this season. Andrew Knapp will get the call in his absence.

Stallings was placed on the 10-day injured list with a cervical neck strain Sunday.

Stallings is out of options, so his move to the injured list allows the Pirates to activate Elias Diaz (illness) without needing to designate him for assignment. It's unclear how seriously he's injured or when he's expected to return.

Diaz (illness) was reinstated from the injured list Sunday.

A viral infection stole all of Diaz's spring training and forced him to spend the first few weeks of the season getting up to speed on a rehab assignment. He looks to be good to go after hitting .412 in nine minor-league games. He'll take the backup catcher job behind Francisco Cervelli, with Jacob Stallings (neck) heading to the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Gomes is not starting Sunday against the Marlins.

The balance of playing time seems to be shifting slightly behind the plate in Washington. After starting eight of the first 12 games, Gomes has now been on the bench for five of the last eight. Kurt Suzuki gets the call in his place.

Mejia is starting at catcher and hitting second against the Reds on Saturday.

The 23-year-old backstop hasn't been able to get it going at the dish, hitting just .143 over 28 at-bats, but he'll slot in for Austin Hedges and man the two-spot in the order Saturday. Though he wants to get on track offensively, he also needs to be more effective in stopping the run game, as the Rockies stole five bases on him in his last start on April 17.

Hedges is not starting Saturday against the Reds.

Hedges remains the clear starter behind the plate in San Diego, starting 14 of 22 games. Francisco Mejia gets the call Saturday.

Barnes is not starting Saturday against Milwaukee.

Barnes has just three hits in his last 10 games. Rocky Gale gets the start in his absence.

Grandal is not starting Saturday against the Dodgers.

Grandal has had a heavy workload for a catcher, starting 17 of 22 games. He's certainly earned the playing time, hitting .339 with five homers. Manny Pina gets the call in his place.

Pineda went 2-for-4 with two walks, two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI for Low-A Hagerstown on Friday.

The 19-year-old collected just one hit in his first 16 at-bats to begin the season but has started to find a rhythm at the plate, going 9-for-34 (.265) with a homer and five RBI over his last nine games. Pineda is a long way from the majors, but after a solid debut in the NY-Penn League last year, another strong campaign could have him moving up prospect lists quickly.