MLB Player News

Mesoraco (hamstring) is starting at catcher and batting fifth against the Yankees on Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Mesoraco experienced tightness in his hamstring following Sunday's game against the Cubs and had not returned to the lineup all week. The 29-year-old has a .218/.301/.436 slash line in 101 at-bats this season. Masahiro Tanaka takes the mound for the Yankees on Friday.

Narvaez is not in the lineup against Boston on Friday.

Narvaez will get a breather after picking up two hits, including a double, during Thursday's series finale versus the Twins. In his absence, Kevan Smith will catch Dylan Covey.

Diaz clubbed a three-run home run Thursday and finished the day 1-for-4 with four RBI against the Dodgers.

Diaz's three-run blast off of Brock Stewart brought the Pirates within two runs of the visiting Dodgers and marked his fourth home run of the season. He plays sparingly behind Francisco Cervelli, but Diaz manages to produce when given the opportunity. He was slashing .286/.342/.443 over 70 at-bats entering Thursday.

Grandal went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in Thursday's win over the Pirates.

Thursday's tough outing dropped Grandal's slash line to .243/.341/.442 on the year. Grandal is just 3-for-15 in June with six strikeouts. He has had success against right-handed pitching, however, which bodes well for his chances to turn things around over the weekend with the Dodgers facing right-handers Friday and Saturday in Atlanta.

McCann is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

McCann will take a seat for Thursday's series finale after starting the previous three games behind the dish, going 1-for-9 with a pair of walks in those contests. John Hicks will start at catcher and hit sixth in his stead.

Contreras is out of the lineup versus Philadelphia on Thursday.

Contreras will get a breather during the series finale after starting the past four games, including a two-hit showing in Wednesday's victory. In his place, Chris Gimenez will catch Tyler Chatwood and bat eighth in the order.

Realmuto is out of the lineup against St. Louis on Thursday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto will get a standard day off after starting the past eight games, including going 3-for-4 with three extra-base hits during Wednesday's tilt. In his place, Bryan Holaday will catch Trevor Richards and bat eighth.

Barnhart is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against Colorado, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Barnhart will receive a typical day off for maintenance purposes following three straight starts behind the plate. In his place, Curt Casali will catch Tyler Mahle and bat sixth.

Grandal is out of the lineup against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Grandal will get a typical breather after starting the past three games. In his stead, Austin Barnes will catch and bat eighth in the order.

Hedges (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment in the near future after traveling with the Padres on Friday as the team begins a 10-game road trip, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hedges has been out since the end of April due to right elbow tendinitis. He previously played in two rehab games with Triple-A El Paso a couple weeks ago but suffered a setback and required a little more time off. It appears as though he's on track for activation at some point next week, assuming that he rejoins the Chihuahuas around the end of this weekend or by the start of next week.