MLB Player News

Trevino (hand) is back in action with Double-A Frisco and is hitting .297/.333/.378 with one home run, one steal and a 4:2 K:BB in 37 at-bats.

He left a game on April 14 after getting hit in the hand by a pitch, but returned April 24 and has continued his strong start for the RoughRiders. The 24-year-old backstop doesn't profile as much of a fantasy force, but most evaluators think he has a big-league future, with a realistic floor as a backup catcher.

D'Arnaud went 2-for-3 with a walk, two home runs and five RBI in Friday's 7-5 win over the Nationals.

Impressively, both homers came off Max Scherzer. With four homers and 15 RBI on the season, d'Arnaud has already matched last year's power production in 56 fewer games.

Rupp's average exit velocity is down to 89.9 mph this season after averaging 92.2 mph last year, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Rupp said he has been missing too many good pitches this season. He has more than doubled his walk rate from 2016, but he thinks that may actually be problematic. "I'm seeing the ball," Rupp said. "I feel I need to be more aggressive when I get my pitches to hit as opposed to maybe falling deeper into counts. I think I had success last year swinging earlier. I don't want to get to two strikes and start seeing 95 mph sliders." Rupp has been getting an opportunity to work his way out of his early-season slump, but he could start to lose playing time to Andrew Knapp if he fails to get his bat going soon. The Phillies also have top catching prospect Jorge Alfaro at Triple-A, and he could be an option to come to the majors later this year.

Mesoraco will play in half of the team's next 10 games so that he will have the chance to catch each of the Reds' starting pitchers, C. Trent Rosencrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Although this only a concrete plan for the next 10 games, Rosencrans also reported that he could continue to platoon with Tucker Barnhart going forward. However, if Mesoraco can show signs of the potential he displayed in his breakout 2014 season, regaining his status as everyday catcher is not out of the realm of possibility.

Mesoraco is batting seventh and catching Friday against the Cardinals.

It will be a long-awaited debut for Mesoraco, who last played in a major-league game on April 27 of last year. The 28-year-old backstop will likely be eased into the everyday catcher role ahead of Tucker Barnhart, but will need to show consistency at the plate after hitting just .170 in 13 rehab games for Double-A Pensacola.

Nicholas (knee) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Friday and optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.

After undergoing surgery in March for a torn meniscus in his left knee and getting through a success rehab assignment earlier this week, Nicholas is now on the verge of concluding his recovery. He'll look to provide the Rangers with some organizational catching depth.

Maile was promoted to the Blue Jays' big-league roster Friday, John Lott of the Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old will take the place of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was designated for assignment Friday. So far with Triple-A Buffalo this season, Maile has slashed .195/.214/.195 in 42 plate appearances. He'll likely provide mostly defensive value as a backup catcher for the Blue Jays this season.

McCann is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

It appears to be a normal day off for the 26-year-old, as Alex Avila will instead get the start. McCann has gotten off to a hot-and-cold start as a hitter this season. While he has hit for a disappointing .173 batting average, he has also slugged five home runs.

Realmuto is catching and batting leadoff Friday against the Pirates.

With Dee Gordon getting the day off, Realmuto slides to No. 1 in the order for just the second time this season. The 26-year-old doesn't have blazing speed, but owns a .340/.373/.456 career slash line as a leadoff hitter, providing a consistent threat at the top of the lineup. He carries a seven-game hitting streak into Friday night's matchup against Jameson Taillon.

Leon is not in the lineup Friday against the Cubs, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon hasn't recorded a hit in last five games (0-for-16), so he'll take a breather as Christian Vazquez fills in behind the plate. Leon's poor play has opened the door for Vazquez to turn the catching situation into a timeshare, as each of the catchers has three starts over the last six games.