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Chris Stewart C | ATL
Pirates' Chris Stewart: Bows out of lineup
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.
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James McCann C | ARI
Tigers' James McCann: Goes deep in loss Sunday
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.
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Hector Sanchez C | DET
Padres' Hector Sanchez: Starts at first Sunday
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.
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Yasmani Grandal C | PIT
Dodgers' Yasmani Grandal: Homers in return to lineup Sunday
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.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Marlins' J.T. Realmuto: Three-hit effort as fill-in leadoff man
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.
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Gary Sanchez C | MIL
Yankees' Gary Sanchez: Reaches base three times in loss
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.
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Austin Hedges C | CLE
Padres' Austin Hedges: Out of lineup Sunday
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.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Marlins' J.T. Realmuto: Mans leadoff spot
Realmuto will catch and assume leadoff duties in Sunday's game against the Brewers, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.
Realmuto isn't expected to stick in the leadoff spot beyond Sunday since regular table setter Dee Gordon is simply receiving the day off for rest. The backstop has typically occupied the No. 6 or 7 spot in recent games that both he and Gordon have appeared in.
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Chris Stewart C | ATL
Pirates' Chris Stewart: Collects fourth start in six games
Stewart will start behind the plate and bat eighth Sunday against the Giants, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
It initially appeared that the higher-upside Elias Diaz would settle in as the Pirates' primary starter behind the dish while Francisco Cervelli (concussion) has been sidelined, but those duties seem to have fallen to Stewart, who will pick up his fourth start in six games Sunday. Stewart collected only two hits in those previous three starts and is batting .203 on the season, so it will be difficult to wring much fantasy value out of him while he retains the top spot on the depth chart.