MLB Player News

Maldonado went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Monday's loss to Minnesota.

The backstop is having a respectable fantasy season with a .251/.316/.420 slash line, nine homers, 26 RBI and 24 runs. Those numbers don't jump off the page, but there are plenty of deeper settings where Maldonado is a serviceable asset. It also helps that he's receiving consistent at-bats.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Monday against the Rangers, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

Vazquez has just one hit over his last three starts (1-for-14), so he'll get the day off to clear his head as Sandy Leon crouches behind the plate in his stead. He appears to be on the favorable end of a timeshare with Leon for the time being, though that could change if Leon heats up while Vazquez cools off.

Mesoraco is out of the lineup Monday against the Rockies, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco is still viewed as the Reds' primary starter at catcher, but his erratic at-bat totals from week to week can often make him difficult to depend on in the fantasy realm. He'll find himself on the bench for the fourth time in six games as manager Bryan Price goes with Tucker Barnhart behind the dish in the series opener.

Stewart is out of the lineup Monday against the Phillies.

After starting four of the past six games behind the plate, Stewart's opportunities to see regular at-bats will likely draw to a close with the Pirates bringing back Francisco Cervelli (concussion) from the 7-day disabled list Monday. Stewart has never been known for his aptitude with the bat anyway, so it's unlikely that fantasy owners in NL-only leagues were relying on him for much production while Cervelli was sidelined.

McCann went 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBI in Sunday's loss to the Indians.

McCann didn't enter the game until the seventh inning, when the Tigers subbed out Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez in a game they were trailing 11-1. McCann now has nine home runs in just 143 at-bats this season, though he's only batting .210.

Sanchez got the nod at first base Sunday, going 0-for-4 in a win over the Dodgers.

The veteran backstop earned a rare start at his secondary position after contributing two pinch-hit home runs since returning from the disabled list June 23. Sunday's start came on a routine rest day for the Padres' everyday first baseman, Wil Myers, so expect Sanchez to return to the bench Tuesday against the Nationals.

Grandal returned to the starting lineup Sunday after a two-day layoff, going 1-for-4 with his 11th home run of the season in a loss to the Padres.

Austin Barnes' two-homer, seven-RBI performance Friday earned the backup another start on Saturday, but Grandal reminded manager Dave Roberts why he is the Dodgers' top offensive catcher with a solo blast Sunday. It is worth noting that his bomb came against the left-handed Ryan Buchter, just his second homer off a southpaw this season. Barnes may have earned an extra start per week while his bat is hot, but Grandal is still the catcher to own from a fantasy perspective.

Realmuto went 3-for-6 with a double, two runs and two RBI on Sunday in Milwaukee.

Realmuto was tremendous out of the top spot with Dee Gordon sitting. His two-run single in the eight inning dashed any hopes of a Brewers comeback by making the score 9-3. The 26-year-old catcher is following up last season's .303/.343/.428 line with a .289/.348/.449 showing.

Sanchez went 2-for-3 with a walk Sunday in Houston.

Sanchez and Aaron Judge accounted for four of New York's six hits as the Yankees narrowly avoided their first shutout loss of the season with a run in the top of the ninth. Unfortunately for the Bronx Bombers, neither young star got an at-bat with runners in scoring position while the rest of the team went 1-for-10 in such situations.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

With no news of an injury, it appears Hedges is simply receiving a day of rest. Luis Torrens will fill in behind the plate in his absence.