MLB Player News

Maldonado won't start Tuesday or Wednesday against the Rangers due to swelling in his right hand, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 36-year-old was hit by a pitch Sunday against the Orioles and will sit out a couple days to allow the swelling in his hand to subside. Christian Vazquez is starting behind the plate Tuesday and should receive another start Wednesday before Houston has a scheduled day off Thursday.

Heineman is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Heineman had been scheduled to catch for the Pirates in Monday's 7-5 loss in the series opener, only to be scratched due to "manager's discretion," per Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Skipper Derek Shelton will keep Heineman on the bench Tuesday for a third straight contest, with each absence from the lineup coming against a right-handed starting pitcher. Jason Delay seems to have unseated Heineman as Shelton's preferred option behind the plate.

Delay will start at catcher and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Delay is making his third consecutive start, all of which have come against right-handed pitchers. His recent usage would seem to suggest that he's supplanted Tyler Heineman as the Pirates' preferred option behind the dish.

Manager Tony La Russa said Grandal (knee) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The 33-year-old reported to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday and will rejoin the White Sox after going 5-for-11 with two walks, a home run, a double and four RBI in three rehab games. With Eloy Jimenez mostly being limited to designated-hitter duties, Grandal is likely to see most of his time behind the plate rather than splitting time between catcher and designated hitter.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Realmuto knocked in two runs in Monday's game, but interim manager Rob Thomson decided to give him a breather Tuesday night. Garrett Stubbs will replace Realmuto behind the plate.

Narvaez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Narvaez and Victor Caratini have been splitting the playing time behind the plate since Narvaez came off the injured list a little over a week ago, and that arrangement will continue, as Caratini will get the nod Tuesday after Narvaez started the two previous days.

Maldonado is on the bench for Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado takes a seat while Christian Vazquez fills in behind the plate. Maldonado has been a non-factor offensively in his last 10 games, going 3-for-29 with no RBI and 10 strikeouts.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

Kirk heads to the bench after making two starts apiece at catcher and designated hitter over the Blue Jays' last four contests while going 2-for-14 with four walks. Danny Jansen will relieve Kirk behind the plate Tuesday, while George Springer gets a day out of the outfield to handle DH duties.

Nido is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.

Nido and James McCann look to be stuck in a true timeshare at catcher, with each having now picked up three starts apiece over the Mets' last six contests. Even if the playing time eventually tilts more heavily in Nido's favor, he's unlikely to provide much fantasy value. In 249 plate appearances on the season, Nido is hitting .221 with no home runs and no stolen bases.

Smith is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets, according to Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA.

Smith hit a two-run home run in Monday's game, but manager Dave Roberts decided to hold him out Tuesday for the second time in three days. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate in Smith's place.