MLB Player News

Hedges is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets.

Hedges exploded with a three-hit, five-RBI performance Saturday, with the latter figure matching his total from his first 22 games of the season combined. He'll be rewarded with an off day in the series finale, affording backup A.J. Ellis a turn behind the plate.

Plawecki (hand) has resumed throwing, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

While this is encouraging news for the backstop, he still hasn't been able to catch since suffering a hairline fracture in his left (catching) hand earlier in the month, leaving his potential return timetable up in the air. The Mets will continue to use a combination of Jose Lobaton and Tomas Nido behind the dish until Plawecki is healthy.

Grandal is not in the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Giants, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Grandal has been the primary catcher for the Dodgers this season, starting 18 of the team's first 25 games behind the plate. Austin Barnes will start the afternoon game in his place, though it's likely both catchers get a start in one half of the doubleheader. Grandal is hitting .316/.409/.566 this season, so expect him to hold onto his starting job for a while.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Saturday against the Twins, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

He has received the bulk of the starts behind the dish so far this season, hitting .233/.318/.384 with two home runs and a decent 20:10 K:BB in 73 at-bats. Devin Mesoraco will start at catcher and hit eighth in his place.

Perez was designated for assignment by the Braves on Friday.

With Tyler Flowers returning from the disabled list, the Braves no longer needed Perez's catching services in the big leagues. The 27-year-old played sparingly due in part to a hot start from veteran Kurt Suzuki, but also due to a lowly 3-for-21 (.143) batting line in his limited opportunities. He'll now be exposed to waivers with a demotion to the minors likely to come wherever he may wind up.

Okey (wrist) came off the disabled list Thursday for High-A Daytona, going 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk at Fort Myers.

Wrist injuries have plagued him early on in his career, so we don't have a great gauge for his offensive upside. He has a solid reputation as a defender behind the dish and has pedigree (43rd overall pick in 2016), so if he can get going offensively, he could become a player to watch in deeper two-catcher dynasty leagues.

Contreras is not in the lineup against the Brewers on Thursday.

Contreras will get a day off after starting the past two games behind the plate. In his place, Victor Caratini gets the nod and will bat sixth in the order for the series opener.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Thursday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

With Devin Mesoraco (neck) ready to catch Thursday after sitting out Cincinnati's past three contests, Barnhart will receive a breather for the day game after a night game. Barnhart's offense has yet to suffer this season due to the hefty workload behind the plate, as he has delivered a respectable .250/.346/.412 line across 79 plate appearances.

Mesoraco (neck) will start at catcher and bat sixth Thursday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco's stiff neck had kept him out of the lineup for the past three games, but because he typically only plays a couple times per week, the Reds didn't need to call up an extra catcher from the minors in the short term. After taking some time to rest up, Mesoraco will be ready to step in for Tucker Barnhart as the Reds play a day game after a night game.

Realmuto blasted two home runs and drove in three in a 2-for-6 game Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Realmuto has absolutely mashed since coming off the disabled list April 17. He has four home runs in just seven games and now owns a .385/.448/.846 line in the early going. Obviously Realmuto will come down to Earth eventually, but the 27-year-old should be rounding into his prime and hit a respectable .278/.332/.451 with a career-high 17 home runs last season. Realmuto has steadily improved since his call up in 2015, and at this point he could be the best hitter in this bare-bones Marlins lineup.