MLB Player News

Nola is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

With the Padres and Reds wrapping up their series with a day game after a night game, Nola will be getting a breather while Jorge Alfaro picks up a turn behind the dish. Nola started in each of the Padres' previous five games, going 1-for-18 with a walk and an RBI.

The Rangers will call Huff up from Triple-A Round Rock prior to Thursday's game against the Astros, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Huff is expected to be up with the Rangers on a short-term basis while Jonah Heim is out on paternity leave. Huff is slashing .241/.302/.431 over 63 plate appearances at Round Rock this season.

The Rangers are expected to place Heim on the paternity list Thursday, The Dallas Morning News reports.

Heim, who went 1-for-3 with a double during Wednesday's loss to Houston, has provided good value thus far and is getting ample opportunities while starter Mitch Garver receives semi-regular playing time at designated hitter. Sam Huff will be called up to replace Heim for the next few days.

Garver went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Astros.

Garver produced the first run of the game for the Rangers with a solo shot to left field in the second inning. The long ball was his first since Opening Day. The backstop recently endured a six-game 0-for-19 skid but has now registered at least one hit in three of his past four contests.

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Wednesday against the Royals.

Grandal is playing through soreness in his legs so was limited to designated hitter duties. However, he still had a productive day at the plate and is now in the midst of a modest four-game hitting streak. It is worth noting that Grandal was removed in favor of a pinch runner in the bottom of the eighth inning, though that could be due to his lack of speed rather than an indication of injury.

Nido went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 10-5 loss to the Cardinals.

His two-run two-bagger in the second inning gave the Mets an early 2-1 lead, but it didn't last long. Nido has been alternating starts with James McCann over the last week as both backstops struggle to build some momentum at the plate, and even after Wednesday's effort, Nido has a .214/.207/.250 slash line through 28 plate appearances.

Bart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the A's, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bart is 0-for-20 with 13 strikeouts over his past seven games and will head to the bench for Wednesday's series finale. Curt Casali will start at catcher in his place.

Hedges is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Hedges started the past four games and will take a seat after going 2-for-11 with a two-run home run during that stretch. Luke Maile will start behind the plate in his absence Wednesday.

Sanchez (abdomen) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

He'll remain on the bench for a sixth consecutive game while he contends with abdominal tightness. However, manager Rocco Baldelli said the catcher is working out on the field prior to Wednesday's matchup, and he's hopeful that Sanchez will be able to return to the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Tigers, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Stephenson (concussion) is expected to catch a live BP on Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson participated in agility drills and ran on the field ahead of Wednesday's game against the Padres. Since the 25-year-old will catch a live BP session from Mike Minor (shoulder) this weekend, manager David Bell indicated that Stephenson could return sometime during the Reds' series in Milwaukee that begins Tuesday.