MLB Player News

Grandal isn't in the starting lineup for Game 5 of the World Series against Boston on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Grandal will come off the bench for the second straight game, with Austin Barnes slated to handle the catching duties in a pivotal Game 5. Grandal will be available to pinch hit if necessary.

Barnes is out of the starting lineup for Game 3 of the World Series against Boston on Friday.

Manager Dave Roberts will give Yasmani Grandal his first start of the series during Friday's game, citing the catcher's arm strength and matchup versus right-hander Rich Porcello. During the first two games in Boston, Barnes failed to collect a hit, going 0-for-4 in four plate appearances.

Barnes will draw another start behind the plate for Game 6 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Friday, Jorge Castillo of The Los Angeles Times reports.

This will mark his third straight start in the lineup after catching Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The Dodgers have claimed victories in each of the three starts Barnes has made this series, and he's proven to be the security blanket for manager Dave Roberts in light of Yasmani Grandal's costly errors.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Wednesday.

Austin Barnes will receive another start behind the plate while Grandal begins Wednesday's contest on the bench. Due to Grandal's defensive struggles and lack of production at the dish, it wouldn't come as a shock to see Barnes start Game 6 on Friday when the series heads back to Milwaukee.

Grandal won't be in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grandal has had a miserable NLCS thus far, from committing costly errors in Game 1 to striking out in a key spot with the bases loaded in the ninth of Game 3. He's gone 3-for-22 with a double and a solo home run through seven games in the postseason and will be available off the bench for Tuesday's matchup. Austin Barnes is slated to take over the catching duties with Grandal out of the starting nine.

Barnes will start at catcher in Game 4 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Barnes started behind the dish in Game 2 of the NLCS and went 0-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, and after yet another miserable performance by Yasmani Grandal in Game 3, Barnes will get the opportunity to play. He'll be tasked with catching Rich Hill.

Grandal is expected to start behind the dish for Game 3 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Monday, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Dave Roberts was clearly not pleased by Grandal's performance in Game 1, which led to his benching in the second game of the series. Roberts stated he believes Grandal and starting pitcher Walker Buehler have good chemistry, so he's giving Grandal another chance in a pivotal postseason contest.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Saturday.

Grandal is just 2-for-17 so far in the postseason. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate, batting eighth.

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Sunday against the Cardinals.

Contreras took Austin Gomber deep in the fifth inning to record his 10th home run of the season. It marked his first home run since Aug. 1 and only his third since the All-Star break. That long stretch without power is an illustration of Contreras' disappointing season, as his home run production was cut in half from the 2017 campaign.

Diaz will catch and bat cleanup Sunday against the Reds.

He's 4-for-12 with one homer and four RBI in his last three starts. Diaz also has three hits (including one double) in nine career at-bats against Sunday starter Sal Romano. The catcher is slashing .286/.338/.456 with 10 homers and 34 RBI in 272 plate appearances.