MLB Player News

Leon went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 10-7 extra-inning win over the Blue Jays.

With both Christian Vazquez (finger) and Blake Swihart (hamstring) on the disabled list, Leon is carrying the bulk of the load at catcher. That might not be helpful for fantasy owners as Leon is batting just .219, but it doesn't matter to Boston. Over Leon's last 25 starts, the Red Sox are 24-1. Tuesday marked his fourth straight start while Dan Butler, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Pawtucket when Swihart was added to the disabled list, has yet to see action. The Red Sox will likely give Leon a break or two in the coming days, particularly with a doubleheader coming Saturday.

Grandal is not in the lineup Tuesday against the A's, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grandal will head to the bench against left-hander Sean Manaea after starting four of the last five games behind the dish -- and appearing in all five. Austin Barnes will start at catcher and hit ninth in his stead.

Murphy was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Murphy is hitting just .227/.253/.398 across 31 games with the Rockies this season -- and just .152/.188/.370 in 19 games since the start of July -- so he'll head back to the minors for more seasoning. With Murphy out of the picture for the time being, Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters will split time behind the dish for the Rockies.

Maile is in the lineup Tuesday against the Red Sox, his sixth start in the last nine games.

Maile has begun to edge out Russell Martin for playing time. In a lost season in Toronto, it makes sense that the 27-year-old Maile would be given at-bats over his 35-year-old teammate. Even an increased role doesn't make Maile a particularly enticing fantasy option, however, as he's hit just .232 with a 31.9 percent strikeout rate and only three homers in 54 games.

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Tuesday's game against the Royals.

With regular catcher Willson Contreras getting a breather after three straight starts, Caratini will slot in to face Kansas City right-hander Brad Keller. The 24-year-old has a mediocre .634 OPS this season with no home runs and 10 RBI in 45 games, so he hasn't moved the needle much in fantasy leagues.

Contreras is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Royals.

Contreras will give way to Victor Caratini behind the dish following three straight starts. The backstop is off to a nice start to the month, slashing .333/.429/.556 with one homer and three RBI through five games.

Gomes (hamstring) is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.

Gomes was pulled from Friday's game and proceeded to sit out the next three with hamstring tendinitis. The injury wasn't expected to result in a long absence, and indeed he has avoided a trip to the disabled list.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Reds, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Mesoraco will sit for a second straight game after catching all 10 innings during Sunday's loss to the Braves. Kevin Plawecki will once again start behind the dish.

Maldonado is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Giants.

Maldonado will give way to Max Stassi behind the dish after going 0-for-2 in Monday's series-opening win. The backstop is hitting just .133/.222/.257 in six games since joining the Astros.

Plawecki went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's win over the Reds.

He's hitting only .220 (11-for-50) since the beginning of July, and Plawecki remains stuck in a timeshare with Devin Mesoraco behind the plate for the Mets. Expect the arrangement to continue until one of them heats up enough to seize a majority of the starts.