MLB Player News

Caratini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.

Caratini has been a regular starter through the first nine games of the season but will head to the bench Sunday. He's 5-for-23 with seven strikeouts in 25 plate appearances. Josh Phegley will serve as the designated hitter in the series finale.

The Royals designated Hernandez for assignment Sunday.

With Cam Gallagher returning from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Sunday's series finale with the White Sox, the Royals no longer needed to keep Hernandez around as a third catcher. Assuming Hernandez goes unclaimed off waivers, he'll stick within the organization and report to the Royals' alternate training site. Hernandez appeared in four games during his time with the big club, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The Royals activated Gallagher from the COVID-19 injured list Sunday.

Fellow catcher Oscar Hernandez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, clearing the way for Gallagher to take over as the No. 2 backstop behind Salvador Perez. While Perez will see the bulk of the work behind the dish, Gallagher will draw the start at catcher in the series finale Sunday with the White Sox while Perez receives a turn at first base, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic.

Leon is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Leon's workload has picked up since starting catcher Roberto Perez (shoulder) was shut down Wednesday and placed on the injured list, but the former still looks to be stuck in an even timeshare with Beau Taylor, which limits the fantasy utility of both players. Taylor and Leon have now alternated starts behind the dish over the past six games.

Casali is out of the lineup for the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

After starting behind the dish in each of the Reds' first five games, Casali has predictably taken a back seat since Tucker Barnhart was activated from the paternity list Tuesday. Though Casali will be on the bench for a third straight contest, he'll likely catch in the second game of the doubleheader later in the day.

Grandal went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, two RBI and a walk during Saturday's 11-5 win over the Royals.

The 31-year-old has been off to a slow start as he was 2-for-17 with zero extra-base hits entering Saturday's contest, but he was able to double up his hit total in Kansas City. There's a chance Grandal gives way to James McCann behind the plate for Sunday's series finale since it's a day game following a night game.

Stallings isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Stallings is hitting .118/.167/.176 with a double, two RBI and five strikeouts while starting in five of the Pirates' first seven games. However, John Ryan Murphy will take over as the team's catcher Saturday, batting ninth.

D'Arnaud isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.

D'Arnaud plated five runs in Friday's comeback win, but manager Brian Snitker said that he wants to limit his workload early after his return from the injured list, especially in the heat. As a result, Tyler Flowers will start at catcher Saturday, batting ninth.

Nola (knee) went 1-for-4 in a win over the Athletics on Friday.

Nola made his first appearance behind the dish since Tuesday, when he'd hurt his knee on a slide against the Angels. The 30-year-old has hit safely in three of his first four starts of the season and should continue logging consistent playing time with fellow backstop Tom Murphy (foot) still without a timetable for return.

Perez went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

It was his first multi-hit game of the year. Perez hasn't shown much rust at the plate after missing all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, going 8-for-32 (.250) with two homers and five RBI while starting all eight games so far for the Royals.