MLB Player News

Realmuto will bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Nationals, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto got off to a slow start in his first two games, going just 1-for-9 and striking out three times. The 25-year-old will look to get back to form in a matchup with Tanner Roark and the Nationals on Thursday.

Rupp is out of the lineup Thursday against the Reds, Ryan Lawrence of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Rupp was passed over in favor of Carlos Ruiz on Opening Day, but returned to the starting lineup Wednesday evening. With a day game immediately on tap, manager Pete Mackanin decided to give the 27-year-old backstop the day off.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Thursday against the Phillies, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

Mesoraco was back in the lineup Wednesday, despite taking a slight accidental shot to the head by Maikel Franco's bat Monday. Although he appears to have been cleared of concussion symptoms, the 27-year-old backstop will get regular rest for a day game. Tucker Barnhart will be called upon to take over catching duties.

Grandal (forearm) will participate in a simulated game on Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group reports.

This is in line with an expected return before April 12 for Grandal, so he should be good to go by the Dodgers' home opener barring any setbacks. His return will likely push Austin Barnes into the minors.

Barnes is out of the lineup on Wednesday.

After starting at catcher and batting eighth on Tuesday, Barnes will sit for Wednesday's game. With Yasmani Grandal (forearm) on the DL, Barnes is splitting time with A.J. Ellis behind the dish. Ellis also started Monday on Opening Day for the Dodgers. Barnes went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Tuesday.

Rupp is in the lineup Wednesday against the Reds, batting sixth and catching.

The Phillies decided to go with Carlos Ruiz behind the plate on Opening Day as a kind gesture to the veteran backstop, but Rupp will slot into the lineup for the second game of the year. Manager Pete Mackanin stated that he expects Rupp to be the starting catcher most of the time, so he should be in the lineup more often than not going forward.

Mesoraco is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies.

Mesoraco took a bat to the temple on Maikel Franco's follow-through swing Monday and felt woozy afterward, but stayed in the game. The off-day Tuesday didn't hurt his chances of returning Wednesday night.

McCann is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Marlins.

He went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Tuesday against the Marlins, and in the day game following the night game, he will get the day off. Jarrod Saltalamacchia will start at catcher and hit sixth Wednesday.

Manager John Gibbons said Thole will catch most of R.A. Dickey's starts this season, CBC Sports reports.

The 29-year-old catcher has been with the Blue Jays since 2013, but has never played more than 57 games in a year -- he only played 18 in 2015 due to injuries and a backlog at the position. However, because of his ability to catch Dickey's knuckleball, and the rest needed by 33-year-old Russell Martin, Thole may be in line for an increased workload this season. He may be worth a look in daily leagues due to the fact he'll be part of the most potent offense in baseball.

Grandal (forearm) caught a bullpen session Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

With the forearm holding up well to Tuesday's activity, Grandal has been cleared to play in a simulated game Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Grandal being ready for the team's April 12 home opener despite a slight setback with the injury last weekend. A.J. Ellis and Austin Barnes are splitting the workload in the meantime.