MLB Player News

Mesoraco is back in the lineup Saturday against St. Louis, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco missed a pair of games earlier in the week and was only available off the bench for Friday's matchup with the Cardinals. He'll return to the starting lineup Saturday, displacing Tucker Barnhart, who had started the last three games in his place.

Vazquez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Friday night's 5-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Vazquez made an immediate impact for Boston, both as a hitter and as a catcher. Against a powerful Toronto lineup, he guided Rick Porcello through 6.1 innings, including a stretch in which the right-hander retired 13 straight. Vazquez also showed off his arm, picking off Troy Tulowitzki at first base in the second inning when the Blue Jays nicked Porcello for a run after Boston had taken an early lead. His bat won't consistently impact games as it did Friday, but all those defensive skills -- controlling the running game, blocking pitches, game calling -- will improve Boston's starters. That's why Boston optioned Blake Swihart, a much better hitter than Vazquez, to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Grandal will sit out Friday's matchup with the Giants.

The Dodgers used Thursday as an opportunity to give Grandal a day off, and as expected he will not return until Saturday. A.J. Ellis will continue catching for Clayton Kershaw, as he is expected to going forward this season.

Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

With Chris Hatcher returning from paternity leave, the Dodgers needed to free up a roster spot and Barnes was the guy they chose to send down to the minors. The 26-year-old has started three games at catcher and one at second base for the Dodgers on the young season, and while he hasn't committed an error in the field, he's struggled at the plate. He's hitting .133 with a run and RBI over 15 plate appearances. However, given he's a career .300 hitter in the minors, he'll be a likely call up if the Dodgers have a roster spot to fill.

Mesoraco (leg) remains out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

A sore right leg will keep Mesoraco on the bench again Friday, affording Tucker Barnhart his third straight start behind the dish. It's not the same leg that was so troublesome last year -- it was the left hip Mesoraco had operated on -- but some concern is starting to mount at this point. Jordan Pacheco is the only other catcher option on the active roster.

Vazquez will catch and bat eighth Friday against the Blue Jays, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

After being activated by the Red Sox, Vazquez will slot in immediately to catch for starter Rick Porcello, with whom he worked well during spring training. Vazquez and Ryan Hanigan figure to split time behind the plate fairly evenly with Blake Swihart optioned down to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Vazquez was recalled from his Triple-A rehab assignment Friday, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

The Red Sox optioned Blake Swihart to Triple-A as a corresponding move, making it clear that they prefer Vazquez behind the plate moving forward. The 25-year-old was tearing the cover of the ball in Triple-A to start the year, hitting .462/650/.538 with two RBI and one stolen base through five games and will now join the Red Sox where he will likely split time with Ryan Hanigan.

Rupp is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Rupp will take a rest day as Carlos Ruiz steps in and gets the start. The 27-year-old went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's game against the Padres, dropping his average to .217 for the season.

Diaz (elbow) is suffering from lateral elbow discomfort and may yet be a candidate for Tommy John surgery. "The doctors are focused on the lateral (outside) of the elbow," trainer Todd Tomczyk told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The news is discouraging as the organization felt confident Diaz would avoid going under the knife. The catcher hasn't reacted well to a prescription of arm rest since spring training.

Mesoraco (leg) could return to the lineup Friday, MLB.com reports.

The ailment that's kept Mesoraco on the bench for two games has been officially labeled right leg tightness. The 27-year-old underwent surgery last summer to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. Tucker Barnhart is starting in place of Mesoraco again Thursday.