MLB Player News

Mejia went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Braves.

Mejia's third homer of the season came in the fifth inning against starter Julio Teheran, tying the game at two. The catcher is hitting .212/.259/.356 this season, adding only eight RBI and 10 runs scored over 35 games.

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer, two runs and a walk during a 10-4 victory over the Pirates on Saturday.

The catcher smashed his home run in the first, and the Cubs were off and running. Chicago scored seven runs in the first inning, turning this one into a blowout early. Contreras is slashing .286/.382/.565 with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, 43 runs and one steal in 306 plate appearances this season.

Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against San Francisco.

Grandal is hitting just .176 over his last 24 games, though he's walked enough and shown enough power to have a respectable .749 OPS over that stretch. Manny Pina will take over behind the plate Saturday.

Realmuto was reinstated from the paternity list Saturday.

Realmuto wound up missing just a single game to start the second half. He finished the first half with a solid .273/.328/.438 slash line, slightly behind his numbers from the last two seasons despite a big upgrade in his home park. Rob Brantly was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Hedges was placed on the bereavement list prior to Friday's game against the Braves, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

He must miss a minimum of three games and a maximum of seven games. Austin Allen was recalled from Triple-A to assume the backup catcher duties in the short term. Francisco Mejia will start at catcher and hit sixth Friday.

Realmuto will return from the paternity list Saturday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto got to spend some time with his wife and newborn daughter at the end of the All-Star break, so he'll be away from the team for just a single game. His return will push Andrew Knapp back to the bench and will likely send Rob Brantly back to the minors.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

Gomes and Kurt Suzuki split time evenly over the last 20 games of the first half, each starting 10 times. Suzuki gets the call for the first game of the second half.

Realmuto was placed on the paternity list Friday.

Players can spend up to three days on the paternity list, so expect Realmuto back with the team no later than Monday. Andrew Knapp will be the primary catcher in his absence, with Rob Brantly called up to be the backup.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Diaz finished the first half with a passable batting average but not much else, posting a .274/.327/.352 slash line with one homer in 56 games. Jacob Stallings caught Chris Archer's last seven starts prior to the break and will do so again Friday.

Jackson went 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored and six RBI for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

The 23-year-old now has 17 homers on the season for Gwinnett, leaving him two shy of tying his previous career high in the minors. Jackson's .229/.321/.526 slash line and 17:68 BB:K through 55 games mark him as a fairly one-dimensional player, though, and he might never be anything more than a depth catching option or utility bench player in the big leagues.