MLB Player News

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Indians.

Realmuto's absence raises an eyebrow, as he owns an .884 OPS in September and the Phillies have a DH spot available while playing in an AL park. Realmuto has started all but two games this month, so it's possible he is simply getting a day off. Regardless, Andrew Knapp will handle the catching duties for the Phillies on Friday night.

Stallings (back) returns to the lineup Friday against Milwaukee.

Back tightness had kept Stallings off the field since last Friday. He'll bat seventh and start behind the plate Friday, catching Steven Brault.

Garver went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks while scoring three times in a victory over the Royals on Thursday.

Garver crushed a 421-foot shot to center field in the fifth inning to even the score at 5-5. After hitting only seven homers in 302 at-bats last season, Garver has exploded for 31 long balls in 297 at-bats in 2019. He leads all major-league catchers with 18 home runs since the All-Star break and ranks second at the position in total homers for the season. Remarkably, he has posted such prodigious power numbers despite splitting time with Jason Castro behind the plate. In fact, Garver's 9.6 AB/HR ranks first in the majors among players with 300 or more plate appearances.

Sanchez (groin) has progressed to running on a treadmill, though his timetable remains uncertain, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Sanchez was diagnosed with a groin strain nearly one week ago, so it's good news that he's already progressed to running. When asked about his return, Sanchez stated "maybe before the season is over. We'll see how it goes with all the exams I'm getting."

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a walk, double, RBI and two runs scored Thursday against the Mariners.

Diaz enjoyed a productive day at the dish, first doubling in Colin Moran in the second inning. He later came around to score in the same frame before crossing the plate again two innings later. Despite the departure of Francisco Cervelli (finger), Diaz has endured a disappointing season by hitting .243/.298/.309 across 330 plate appearances.

Caratini will not start at first base Thursday against the Cardinals as originally anticipated.

Caratini was slated to start at first base, but Anthony Rizzo will make a surprising return to action, and he will get the nod at the position instead.

Mejia is not in Thursday's lineup against the Brewers.

He returned to action Wednesday after missing almost three weeks with an oblique injury and went 2-for-4 with a strikeout. Austin Hedges will catch and hit eighth.

Grandal is not in Thursday's lineup against the Padres.

Grandal has been really grinding for Milwaukee, as this represents his first day out of the lineup since Aug. 18. He is hitting .219/.390/.490 with seven home runs, 27 walks and 32 strikeouts in 28 games over that span. Manny Pina will start behind the dish and hit seventh. It would not be surprising if Grandal were in the lineup for each of the final nine games of the season.

Stallings (back) is not in Thursday's lineup against the Mariners.

It sounds like the Pirates are hoping to have Stallings back for this weekend's series against the Brewers. Elias Diaz is starting behind the dish and hitting fifth.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Hedges will give way to Francisco Mejia behind the plate Wednesday night. Hedges started regularly the last three weeks with Mejia sidelined, but with Mejia now back in action, the two figure to split the catching duties in some fashion the rest of the way.