MLB Player News

Maldonado is not in the lineup against Oakland on Friday, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports.

Maldonado will take the night off after going 1-for-5 with a run scored and three strikeouts during Wednesday's game in Seattle. In his place, Jose Briceno will catch Tyler Skaggs for the series opener.

Sanchez was recently released by the Giants, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Sanchez suffered a concussion in May and later revealed that it was his eighth concussion. Sadly, it seems the 28-year-old's catching days are over, and his playing career may be done as well. He hit .241/.326/.329 in 24 games with Triple-A Sacramento before being released.

Hedges (elbow), who is in the midst of a rehab assignment at High-A Lake Elsinore, could be activated from the 10-day disabled list ahead of the Padres' two-game set against the Athletics that begins Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After being pulled off his rehab assignment three weeks earlier when he experienced a hyperextension of his elbow, Hedges was cleared to return to game action in the minors Tuesday. The 25-year-old has played each of the last three days for the affiliate, culminating in him catching seven innings and going 2-for-2 at the dish Thursday. Hedges will likely need to log a full game behind the plate some point over the weekend before being reinstated from the DL, at which point he would presumably reclaim primary catching duties for the big club. Prior to landing on the DL, Hedges was hitting .173/.235/.293 while striking out in 37 percent of his plate appearances.

Sanchez is starting at catcher and hitting cleanup Thursday against the Rays, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

As expected, Sanchez is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's series opener after receiving a three-day breather amidst a tough stretch at the plate (.075/.197/.094 across his last 15 games). The backstop will face lefty Blake Snell in his return to action.

McCann (illness) will catch and bat seventh in the order against Minnesota on Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group reports.

McCann will settle in behind the plate after missing the past three contests due to the flu. Through 50 games this year, the 28-year-old is hitting .242/.299/.355 with four home runs and 20 RBI.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Thursday against the Giants, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

With the Marlins playing a day game after a night game, Realmuto will receive a breather following six consecutive starts behind the plate. Bryan Holaday will relieve Realmuto at catcher and bat eighth in the series finale.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Grandal will head to the bench for a breather after going 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI in Tuesday's win over the Rangers -- his fourth start in five games. Austin Barnes will set up behind the dish and hit eighth in his stead.

Gomes is out of the lineup versus the White Sox on Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Gomes will retreat to the bench after going 0-for-4 during Tuesday's contest. In his absence, Roberto Perez will catch Trevor Bauer.

Perez (hand) will catch Trevor Bauer and bat eighth in the order against the White Sox on Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Perez is back in the lineup after missing the past two games due to a bruised hand. Over 24 games this year, Perez is hitting just .130/.227/.208 with four RBI and 34 strikeouts.

Barnhart is not starting Wednesday against the Royals.

Barnhart is hitting a capable .259/.342/.381 on the season, with four homers in 56 games. Curt Casali will start in his place.