MLB Player News

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

D'Arnaud has not started back-to-back games since last week, and that trend will continue Tuesday despite d'Arnaud going 2-for-3 with a home run in the nightcap of Monday's doubleheader. Kevin Plawecki will get the nod behind the plate in d'Arnaud's place.

Barnes went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Monday's win over the Padres.

The long ball was Barnes' second in as many starts and eighth in 97 games this season. His season line is up to .285/.408/.483 -- a dramatic improvement over previous stints in the majors -- as he's displayed great patience at the plate and good contact skills. He has made 18 appearances at second base and could enter next season with dual eligibility, although it wouldn't be a huge boon to his value, as Barnes is better utilized in fantasy at his natural position anyway.

Stephenson (thumb) is playing for the Reds in the instructional league, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson missed much of the season due to a thumb injury, but he'll be able to play a bit in the instructional league before the season comes to an end. Before getting hurt, Stephenson hit .278/.374/.414 over 80 games at Low-A Dayton. Considering his current level of activity, Stephenson should enter the 2018 season in full health.

Plawecki is expected to start at first base for the second game of the Mets' Monday doubleheader against the Braves, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

This move will likely result in Dominic Smith receiving the night off. Since reaching the majors in 2015, Plawecki has yet to appear at a position other than catcher. Over 31 games this season, Plawecki has slashed .247/.330/.376.

Sanchez's contract was purchased from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, MLB.com reports.

The Braves removed Sanchez from the 40-man roster Sept. 12, but he'll regain his spot Monday and rejoin the big club to provide catching depth over the season's final week. Sanchez, who slashed .272/.355/.374 at Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels' organization before being dealt to the Braves in late August, could still be non-tendered in the offseason.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Braves, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Tomas Nido will serve as the Mets' backstop for their early matchup versus Atlanta. D'Arnaud has had a hot September, hitting .300 with a 1.025 OPS as well as five home runs and 14 RBI over 15 games.

Grandal went 1-for-1 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Giants.

Grandal has fallen into a timeshare with fellow catcher Austin Barnes over the past week, but he's managed to club two homers over four starts, bringing his season total up to 2 -- fourth among all major-league backstops. Even with a slightly reduced role, the veteran catcher is still worthy of fantasy consideration for the final week of the regular season.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Hedges will head to the bench for what appears to be a standard day of rest after starting the past three games and going 3-for-3 with a double and run scored in Saturday's win. Rocky Gale will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.

Hedges went 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 5-0 win over Colorado.

Hedges' main asset this season has been his power (18 home runs), but his four steals rank sixth among all major-league catchers. The 25-year-old's counting stats have made his .217 batting average tolerable for fantasy owners.

Barnes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run -- his seventh of the season -- in the Dodgers' 2-1 loss to the Giants on Saturday.

He provided the only offense for the scuffling Dodgers, lifting a Madison Bumgarner offering over the left-field wall in the eighth inning to break up the shutout. Barnes, who's slashing .284/.407/.471 across 246 plate appearances, appears to be eating into more of the struggling Yasmani Grandal's playing time. He appears well worth a fantasy add in two-catcher fantasy leagues, or even in formats where it pays to stream.