MLB Player News
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Braves' Travis d'Arnaud: Doubles, homers in loss
D'Arnaud went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 13-8 loss to the Phillies.
D'Arnaud has hit safely in all but one game this season, with six of his hits going for extra bases (four doubles, two homers). The former Met found new life with the Rays down the stretch last year, and while his track record suggests this could all come crashing down at any second, d'Arnaud is running hot at the moment and has the clear playing-time edge behind the plate in Atlanta.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Phillies' J.T. Realmuto: Five homers through 10 games
Realmuto went 2-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBI in Monday's 13-8 win over the Braves.
The backstop homered in three straight games last week and is now up to five homers in just 39 plate appearances. Realmuto was in a clear tier by himself atop the catcher pool during draft season and is only separating himself further, even if he's yet to attempt a stolen base.
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Julian Leon C | LAA
Marlins' Julian Leon: Joins player pool
Leon was added to the Marlins' player pool on Monday.
Leon will give the Marlins some added depth behind the plate this season, but he's unlikely to make his big-league debut except in the event of an injury crisis. He spent last year at Double-A Mobile in the Angels' system, hitting .178/.315/.296 over 68 games.
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Francisco Mejia C | TB
Padres' Francisco Mejia: Continues to split time
Mejia will sit Monday against the Dodgers.
Mejia has started nine times behind the plate this season compared to eight for Austin Hedges, who starts Sunday. The pair have alternated starts for eight straight games, so Mejia should have a good chance to return to action Tuesday.
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Austin Nola C | COL
Mariners' Austin Nola: Back in starting nine
Nola (hand) is starting Monday against the Rangers.
Nola was on the bench for two consecutive games after being hit by a pitch in Friday's contest. However, he'll reclaim his spot behind the dish and bat fifth Monday. Nola is hitting .324/.395/.588 with six extra-base hits and seven RBI this season.
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Christian Vazquez C | HOU
Red Sox's Christian Vazquez: On bench Monday
Vazquez isn't starting Monday against the Rays.
Vazquez had started in the past 10 games for Boston, but he'll take a seat after going 1-for-11 with one RBI and seven strikeouts over the past three games. Kevin Plawecki will step in behind the dish and bat sixth Monday.
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Wilkin Castillo C | NYY
Marlins' Wilkin Castillo: Joins Miami's player pool
Castillo signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins and was added to the organization's 60-man roster pool Aug. 3.
The 36-year-old will bolster Miami's depth at catcher, but he'll remain at the organization's alternate training site for the duration of 2020 unless the Marlins require another backstop at some point. The Marlins are already without two of their top three catchers in Jorge Alfaro (COVID-19) and Chad Wallach (undisclosed).
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Mitch Garver C | SEA
Twins' Mitch Garver: Remains out Monday
Garver isn't in the lineup Monday against the Brewers.
Garver's bat has been cold to begin the season, and he'll take a seat for the second consecutive game Monday. Alex Avila will start at catcher once again, batting ninth.
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Francisco Mejia C | TB
Padres' Francisco Mejia: Belts first homer
Mejia went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's victory over Arizona.
Mejia was one of five Padres to go deep in the victory, staking the team to a nine-run lead with a two-run shot in the third inning. The long ball was a much-needed sign of life from the backstop position for San Diego -- Mejia is slashing .103/.188/.241 through 29 plate appearances this season while Austin Hedges is at .091/.091/.182.