MLB Player News

Moore was removed from the Rays' 40-man roster Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Moore and fellow catcher Jesus Sucre were cast off the team's 40-man roster in order to clear space for younger prospects in need of protection from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The veteran backstop appeared in just eight games for Tampa Bay in 2018, hitting .222/.263/.444 with one homer.

Realmuto's agent, Jeff Berry, said that he doesn't expect the backstop to be with the Marlins in 2019, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. "I think he will definitely be wearing a different uniform by the start of spring training," the agent told MLB Network Radio on Tuesday.

Berry made it clear that Realmuto, who is eligible for arbitration in 2019 and 2020 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2021, is unwilling to negotiate a long-term deal with the Marlins. Realmuto hit .277/.340/.484 with 21 homers and three stolen bases en route to his first All-Star selection in 2018.

Grandal isn't in the starting lineup for Game 5 of the World Series against Boston on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Grandal will come off the bench for the second straight game, with Austin Barnes slated to handle the catching duties in a pivotal Game 5. Grandal will be available to pinch hit if necessary.

Barnes is out of the starting lineup for Game 3 of the World Series against Boston on Friday.

Manager Dave Roberts will give Yasmani Grandal his first start of the series during Friday's game, citing the catcher's arm strength and matchup versus right-hander Rich Porcello. During the first two games in Boston, Barnes failed to collect a hit, going 0-for-4 in four plate appearances.

Vazquez will sit for Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sandy Leon will get the start, catching Chris Sale. Leon is 0-for-7 thus far in the postseason, while Vazquez has gone 5-for-22, good for a .227 average.

Barnes will draw another start behind the plate for Game 6 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Friday, Jorge Castillo of The Los Angeles Times reports.

This will mark his third straight start in the lineup after catching Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The Dodgers have claimed victories in each of the three starts Barnes has made this series, and he's proven to be the security blanket for manager Dave Roberts in light of Yasmani Grandal's costly errors.

Leon is out of the starting lineup for Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Wednesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Christian Vazquez will catch Rick Porcello and bat eighth in the order in Leon's absence. This marks the third straight game that manager Alex Cora has elected to start Vazquez behind the plate.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Wednesday.

Austin Barnes will receive another start behind the plate while Grandal begins Wednesday's contest on the bench. Due to Grandal's defensive struggles and lack of production at the dish, it wouldn't come as a shock to see Barnes start Game 6 on Friday when the series heads back to Milwaukee.

Leon is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Astros on Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon will hit the bench after going hitless in his only at-bat during the first two games of the series. Christian Vazquez is starting behind the dish and hitting eighth in his place.

Maldonado is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado will hit the bench after going 1-for-6 with a pair of runs and a pair of strikeouts in the first two games of the series. Brian McCann will start behind the dish and hit eighth in his stead.