MLB Player News

Barnhart is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Braves.

Devin Mesoraco will receive his seventh start of the season in Barnhart's place. Barnhart is hitting a solid .250/.348/.417 with two homers in his first 70 plate appearances.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.

Hedges, who is hitting just .141 on the season, will head to the bench for a breather after starting each of the previous four games behind the dish and going 2-for-13 over that stretch. In his place, A.J. Ellis will start at catcher and hit eighth.

Realmuto went 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Brewers.

He's off to a good start since coming off the disabled list, going 5-for-12 in four games with a homer, four RBI and four runs. Realmuto's hitting second for the Marlins, and while their lineup is among the worst in the majors, that spot should still provide the 27-year-old catcher with plenty of run-producing opportunities.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer Sunday against the Phillies.

He's started only five games in 2018 but has nine hits in 19 at-bats in those contests. Diaz doesn't play enough to offer value to many fantasy owners and hit just .223 in 200 plate appearances with Pittsburgh in 2017. The 27-year-old could see more playing time at some point this summer, however, given starting catcher Francisco Cervelli's extensive injury history.

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 over the Nationals.

Grandal has a hit in each of his last 11 games after delivering a two-RBI double in the sixth inning Sunday. He continues to be red-hot at the plate, slashing .349/.446/.587 with three home runs and 16 RBI through 17 games. It's unlikely that Grandal will continue to hit at this pace, but a struggling Dodgers team will continue to ride his production.

Gomes went 3-for-5 and drove in a run Sunday as the Indians defeated the Orioles 7-3.

Although Gomes has started the majority of Cleveland's games behind the dish, it's not uncommon for him to share time with Roberto Perez. Despite this, he's been effective when in the lineup and has hit .261 with three home runs. However, that batting average may not be sustainable, as he's struck out in 34 percent of his plate appearances.

Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Saturday's day off seemed to benefit Sanchez, as he hit his fifth double of the season and scored twice in his return to the lineup. Although he's gotten off to a slow start to the season and is hitting .188 with a .614 OPS over 17 games, he's starting to find his rhythm at the dish. Over his last seven games, he's gone 8-for-28 (.286) and drawn two walks.

Royals manager Ned Yost reiterated Sunday that Perez (knee) is "very close" to returning from the 10-day disabled list, perhaps as soon as Tuesday's series opener against the Brewers, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports. "It could very well be the next series," Yost said of Perez's impending activation. "But we just have to wait and see."

After initially appearing in rehab games for Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha as a designated hitter, Perez has caught in the past two games for the latter affiliate, an indication his sprained left knee is no longer much of a concern. Perez has also impressed at the dish during his six rehab contests, going 8-for-21 with two home runs, a double and four RBI. If Perez is in fact activated Tuesday, he could receive an extra rest day or two in his first couple of weeks back with the big club, but he should take on one of the heavier workloads among all catchers in baseball once he's further removed from the injury.

Mesoraco (wrist) is starting at catcher and batting sixth Sunday against the Cardinals.

Mesoraco suffered a bruised right wrist Tuesday against the Brewers but was able to make a pinch-hit appearance Friday and will now carry starting duties Sunday. The wrist injury is behind him, and he should be good to go as the Reds' reserve catcher moving forward.

Contreras is not in the lineup Sunday against the Rockies.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Saturday and will now be given the afternoon off as the Cubs take on German Marquez in the series finale. Victor Caratini draws the start at catcher and bats seventh in his stead.