MLB Player News

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rockies.

Mesoraco will give way to Kevin Plawecki behind the dish after going 1-for-3 with a walk and a homer in Monday's series opener. The two backstops have alternated starts over the last eight games, and figure to keep doing so moving forward. Plawecki will get the nod in this one, hitting seventh.

Grandal is not in the lineup for the second half of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

It only makes sense that the Dodgers would use a different catcher for each leg of the doubleheader. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate in place of Grandal, who was ejected late in Game 1 for arguing balls and strikes.

Murphy is not starting Tuesday against the Mets.

Since getting called up June 12, Murphy has started six times in seven games. He's a solid 6-for-23 over that stretch, though he went hitless in his last two games including a three-strikeout performance Monday. Chris Iannetta will start behind the plate Tuesday.

Herrera (suspension) was reinstated from the inactive list Sunday and has served as the designated hitter the last two games for short-season Hillsboro, going 0-for-6 in those contests.

Herrera appeared in one game for Low-A Kane County earlier this season before getting hit with a 50-game suspension for a positive drug test. Now that he's served the ban, the 21-year-old should play regularly with the short-season club, with an eye on eventually earning a promotion back to the Midwest League affiliate.

Mesoraco went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Monday's rout of the Rockies.

The homer was his first since May 28 and seventh of the season. Mesoraco has been alternating starts behind the plate with Kevin Plawecki over the last week, and the former Red's .221/.307/.426 slash line on the year isn't going to encourage manager Mickey Callaway to write Mesoraco's name on the lineup card any more often.

Contreras is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Dodgers.

Contreras was excluded from the lineup the Cubs had posted Monday before that game was postponed due to rain. Manager Joe Maddon will stick with that same starting nine for Game 1 of the twin bill, but expect Contreras to check back in behind the plate for the nightcap. Chris Gimenez will catch for starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood in the afternoon contest.

Stallings was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Stallings didn't make an appearance during his one-week stay with the big club, so he'll head back to the minors for more consistent work. Jose Osuna will take his place on the active roster.

Contreras is not in the lineup Monday against the Dodgers.

Contreras will head to the bench for what appears to be a regular day off following a string of three straight starts. The backstop has just four homers on the season, but he's hitting a solid .276/.369/.434. Chris Gimenez will start behind the dish and hit eighth in his stead.

Mesoraco is out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco and Kevin Plawecki have alternated starts behind the plate over the last six games, and that timeshare seems likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future. While Mesoraco probably offers more appeal of the two from a fantasy standpoint thanks to his superior power, his checkered medical history probably makes the Mets reluctant to hand him a heavy workload at any point this season.

Murphy will start at catcher and bat eighth Sunday against the Rangers, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy earned his way back to the big leagues after bashing 32 extra-base hits in 209 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque and has continued his offensive surge with Colorado. He has already collected six hits -- two of which were doubles -- in 16 at-bats through four starts. Murphy will be behind the plate for the fourth time in six contests Sunday and looks like he may act as the Rockies' No. 1 catcher so long as he keeps impressing at the dish.