MLB Player News

Mesoraco is not in Thursday's lineup against the Padres, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

Mesoraco missed the last three games while on paternity leave, and the catcher will continue to sit on the bench for the finale of the San Diego series as Tucker Barnhart fills in behind the plate. The 29-year-old hasn't played much in the second half of this season; with knee issues, a shoulder injury and the birth of his child forcing Mesoraco to play in only 12 games since the All-Star break. During that span, he's hit just 4-for-26 (.154), but figures to slide back into his regular role of getting roughly four starts per week moving forward.

Hedges is not in Thursday's lineup for the series finale against the Reds, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Following four straight starts behind the plate, Hedges will get a day off for Thursday's matinee while Luis Torrens draws the start in his place. Since coming off the 7-day concussion disabled list July 29, Hedges is 8-for-29 with two home runs and three RBI.

Mesoraco was reinstated from the paternity list Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco was placed on the paternity list Monday, and the Reds have started Tucker Barnhart twice and Stuart Turner once in his absence. Now back in the fold, look for Mesoraco to draw the regular starts in relief of Barnhart, provided his nagging knee issues from the last few weeks don't continue to pose a problem.

Perez went 1-for-2 with a pair of sacrifice bunts and one strikeout in Wednesday's extra-innings loss to Colorado.

Wednesday's effort isn't worth much in fantasy terms, but Perez had three successful at-bats on the day -- a noteworthy accomplishment considering his struggles this season. With Yan Gomes hitting a small slump, Perez has received a start in three of the Tribe's last five games. That said, his .179 average is in no way a danger to Gomes' starting gig.

Manager Joe Maddon said after Wednesday's game that Contreras (hamstring) will likely go on the 10-day DL, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It's a right hamstring injury for Contreras, who pulled up lame a few steps short of the first-base bag in the eighth inning. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports, but it sounds like the Cubs are already resigned to being without Contreras for a stretch. Alex Avila should take over primary catching duties in his absence.

Manager Ned Yost said Perez (intercostal) is expected to be sidelined for 2-to-3 weeks after being reexamined Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

This is welcomed news for the Royals' backstop, as Tuesday's evaluations showed his swelling has subsided, shaving a week off his estimated time on the shelf. A clearer return date should become available once he resumes baseball activities, but he's expected back sometime during the second half of August. In the meantime, Drew Butera will continue to see the bulk of starts behind the dish while Perez is sidelined.

Contreras exited Wednesday's game in the eighth inning with an apparent leg injury.

Contreras slowly left the game with a trainer after pulling up holding his hamstring while running to first base. The severity of the injury is unclear at this point, but more should be known following Wednesday's game. He looked to be in some serious pain following the injury, and even mild hamstring injuries usually sideline players for around two weeks, so a trip to the DL appears to be a strong possibility.

McCann is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

McCann will receive a routine rest day after he handled catching duties for the first two games of the series. Backup John Hicks will enter the lineup, working in a battery with starting pitcher Justin Verlander.

Vazquez is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Rays, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

After starting seven consecutive games behind the plate while Sandy Leon was nursing a knee injury, Vazquez will surprisingly find himself on the bench for a third straight contest. Manager John Farrell may have just wanted to give Vazquez an extended break in light of the young backstop's heavy workload last week, so it shouldn't be taken as a sign that Leon has emerged as the team's preferred catching option. Both Leon and Vazquez will continue to stick in a timeshare behind the plate, and it remains difficult which of the two will see the brunt of the starts from week to week.

Leon will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday against the Rays, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Evidently, the knee injury that sidelined Leon for seven consecutive games is no longer an issue, as he'll draw his third straight start Wednesday. Manager John Farrell has been inconsistent with the manner in which he's doled out playing time behind the plate all season, so Leon's run of starts shouldn't be viewed as an indication that he's overtaken Christian Vazquez as the primary catcher.