MLB Player News

Nido went 2-for-2 with two RBI during the World Team's 7-6 loss to Team USA in the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday.

He subbed in for starting catcher Francisco Mejia in the sixth inning and made his playing time count, collecting RBI singles in the seventh and ninth. Nido, the Mets' No. 11 prospect, hasn't been able to repeat last year's offensive breakout -- he's slashing just .246/.281/.384 in 60 games for Double-A Binghamton thanks to a .257 BABIP -- but he has maintained the gains he showed in his plate discipline with an 11.6 percent strikeout rate. Given his strong defensive profile, he's still got the potential to be more than just a backup in the big leagues.

Caratini went 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI in Sunday's loss to the Pirates.

With the Cubs getting down 10-0 in the first inning of a game they'd go on to lose 14-3, Caratini was able to come off the bench and get the first three hits of his MLB career. Now that Miguel Montero is in Toronto, Caratini should continue to serve as the primary backup to Willson Contreras moving forward.

Manager Dave Roberts stated that the X-rays on Grandal's injured hand came back negative, and he expects him to be ready for Friday's matchup with the Marlins, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Grandal suffered a minor hand contusion Saturday, so he was given the day off Sunday in the Dodgers' final game of the first half. The extra rest from the All-Star break coupled with the positive X-ray results should be enough rest for the 28-year-old to resume his role as the club's starting catcher. Grandal is slashing .267/.319/.469 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 280 plate appearances this year.

Barnes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Royals.

The 27-year-old has been locked recently, smacking three home runs and eight RBI over his last 16 at-bats, but that stretch has spanned nine days due to his role as the Dodgers' backup catcher. Barnes' value will be extremely limited unless Yasmani Grandal is forced to miss an extended period of time.

Rupp went 2-for-3 with a solo home run Sunday against the Padres.

Rupp's second-inning home run was one of six hit by the Phillies in this one. The catcher flashed surprising power with 16 long balls in 2016 but is hitting just .220 with six homers heading into the All-Star break.

Grandal (hand) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Grandal was removed from Saturday's game with a left hand contusion but is available off the bench if needed, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate in the meantime.

Perez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Perez will be granted a well-earned day off after starting each of the Royals' past six games. During that stretch, the 27-year-old went 7-for-25 with two home runs and seven RBI. Drew Butera will take over behind the plate, batting eighth.

Maldonado is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After starting each of the team's previous three games, Maldonado will get a breather during the weekend series finale against Yu Darvish and the Rangers. Juan Graterol will take over behind the plate, batting ninth.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals.

D'Arnaud caught the past couple games for New York, so he'll get Sunday off in order to gear up for the second half of the season. Rene Rivera will assume catching duties for the day.

Grandal left Saturday's game with a left hand contusion, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The backstop was talking with a trainer before it was revealed that Austin Barnes replaced him. Grandal may not be an option for the Dodgers' Sunday lineup, as the club will probably want to rest him with the All-Star break approaching.