MLB Player News

Maldonado went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and four RBI in the Angels' 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday.

It was a big day at the plate for the 31-year-old backstop, who drove in four of his team's six runs on the day with his pair of hits that included a bases-loaded double. He's still not having an especially notable offensive season, as Maldonado is slashing .251/.309/.357 with just three home runs over his 199 at-bats.

Sanchez suffered a groin strain in Sunday's game against the Rays and is likely headed to the disabled list, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

He will get an MRI on Monday, and the move to the DL will likely be made once those results are obtained. Sanchez went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout before grounding into a double play in the top of the 10th inning. He was then replaced by Austin Romine behind the dish in the bottom of the 10th inning, so he presumably suffered the injury running to first base on the groundout. Romine should serve as the primary catcher while Sanchez is out, and Kyle Higashioka will likely be recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to serve as the backup if Sanchez does indeed land on the disabled list.

Hedges (elbow) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday and is catching and hitting eighth against the Giants.

Hedges hasn't played since April after being shut down with elbow tendinitis. He was hitting just .173/.235/.293 prior to the injury. Raffy Lopez was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.

Perez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

The 28-year-old will get a day to rest his legs as Drew Butera steps in behind the plate to catch for starter Jason Hammel. Perez has endured a tough month, slashing just .173/.225/.293 with two homers so far in June, but his track record should be enough for fantasy owners to be patient.

Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Mets, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Grandal has cooled off after a hot start, with his season line now sitting at .236/.327/.435. He's still made over two thirds of the starts behind the plate, however, as fellow catcher Austin Barnes has struggled to a .204/.343/.265 line on the year.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Sunday against the Dodgers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Mesoraco is hitting .228/.330/.457 with six homers in 30 games since joining the Mets. Kevin Plawecki will start in his place Sunday. The two catchers have split the starts roughly evenly since Plawecki returned from a fractured hand in late May, with Mesoraco starting 14 times compared to 12 for Plawecki.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with a walk and a grand slam in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Rockies.

The catcher now has 10 homers and 31 RBI over 56 games to accompany his stellar .308/.365/.548 slash line. Realmuto has far and away been the Marlins' best player this season, and he should be a shoo-in for his first All-Star Game appearance next month.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday against the Reds.

Contreras launched his home run -- his fifth of the season -- over the right field wall in the second inning off Anthony DeSclafani. It was his first home run and only fourth extra-base hit since May 12. That has resulted in a disappointing .422 slugging percentage, which is 50 points below his career mark.

Barnhart went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer against the Cubs on Saturday.

Barnhart began the Reds' offensive onslaught Saturday, with his home run coming in the first inning off right-hander Luke Farrell. It was his fifth home run of the season and second in his past seven games. Barnhart doesn't produce exceptionally in any area, but he receives steady playing time and chips in across most categories, making him viable in deep formats.

Hedges (elbow) will be activated from the 10-day disabled list provided a final checkup goes smoothly, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hedges hasn't played since April while dealing with right elbow tendinitis. Prior to the injury, he was hitting a miserable .173/.235/.293. Hedges' return could push Raffy Lopez back to the minors.