MLB Player News

Realmuto is not in the lineup Saturday against the Mets, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto will get the day off while A.J. Ellis takes over behind the dish. The 26-year-old is off to a nice start to the season, going 13-for-34 (.382) with seven runs and seven RBI through nine games.

Mesoraco (hip) could be activated by the end of the Reds' upcoming series against the Orioles, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old backstop has been rehabbing at Double-A Pensacola of late and appears to be making significant progress toward a return. He's 4-of-11 with one home run and he's also been able to catch on back-to-back days. According to Sheldon, Mesoraco's final hurdle could come early next week when he's scheduled to catch back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, Mesoraco could be back with the Reds as soon as Thursday.

Higashioka is batting eighth and catching Saturday.

The rookie makes his second career start as the Yankees face Carlos Martinez and the Cardinals. Higashioka went 0-for-4 with a run scored in his debut earlier this week and will continue to serve as the backup catcher until Gary Sanchez (biceps) returns.

Rupp is out of the lineup Saturday against the Nationals.

The Phillies and Nationals played 10 innings Friday night, and Rupp caught the whole game, so this is simply a regular rest day. Andrew Knapp will take over catching duties and bat seventh.

D'Arnaud could be on the bench again Saturday for another rest day following Thursday's 16-inning game, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

He apparently needed help making it down the clubhouse steps after crouching behind the plate for five hours Thursday, so an extended break seems like a wise precaution given d'Arnaud's injury history. "I am going to give him two [days off]," Mets manager Terry Collins said Friday. "We've got three more here. I thought that was a long game last night, he was exhausted when the game was over. So, I'll give him tonight and tomorrow and get him back out there." Rene Rivera would then make his second straight start Saturday, but expect d'Arnaud back in the lineup Sunday.

Perez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, his fifth of the year, and two RBI in Saturday's win over the Angels.

Perez's sixth-inning blast tied him with Houston's George Springer for the AL lead in home runs. Furthermore, the seventh-year catcher has reached base safely in all 10 of his games so far. Perez appears well on his way to a third straight season of 20-plus long balls.

Trevino departed Thursday night's game with Double-A Frisco after being hit on the hand by a pitch, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

This injury comes at an inopportune time, as Trevino had been hitting .350 through the Roughriders first six games. However, he isn't expected to land on the disabled list due to this issue and should be able to return to action after a few days of rest. Consider him day-to-day for the time being.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

As expected, d'Arnaud will take a seat Friday after catching 16 innings and hitting the game-winning home run against the Marlins in the series opener. Rene Rivera will take over behind the plate in his place, but d'Arnaud figures to draw back into the lineup later in the weekend.

Sanchez was reinstated from the 7-day disabled list on Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez had been dealing with concussion symptoms after taking a foul ball to the head in last week's game against the Dodgers. It appears all systems are go and he's ready to assume reserve catching duties behind everyday starter Austin Hedges, though fellow backstop Luis Torrens will remain on the roster for now. The switch-hitting Sanchez is still looking for his first hit on the young season, but is likely to continue to see limited playing time upon his return to action.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Friday's contest with the Tigers.

Gomes hit his first home run of the season Thursday night, but given that it was just his second hit all season, he'll get another day off Friday. Roberto Perez will fill in for him for the second time in three days.