MLB Player News

Smith (hand) was hit by a pitch during his debut with Double-A Tulsa on July 10 and is out at least another four weeks, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

It wasn't exactly the dream promotion that most prospects imagine when they get moved up. Smith was hit twice in the game, with the second one proving costly as it fractured his hand. Before the promotion, Smith was hitting .232/.355/.448 with 11 home runs and six steals on eight attempts with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Herrera (ankle) is out until early August with a sprained ankle, Bill Mitchell of Baseball America reports.

Once the Diamondbacks' top international signee, Herrera has been hurt every season since he joined the organization in 2013. This season, the culprit has been an ankle sprain that has kept him out since June 12. Before the injury, the catching prospect was hitting .216 with 13 doubles for Low-A Kane County.

Stephenson (thumb) is on the disabled list, J.J. Cooper of Baseball America reports.

Before the injury, Stephenson was having a good season with Low-A Dayton, slashing .278/.374/.414 with six home runs and 22 doubles. The Reds intended to keep him with Dayton most of the season, so the injury probably won't be what keeps him from advancing through the system at the moment, but the loss of at-bats is never good for development.

Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox.

Grandal has just three hits in the past seven games, so he'll head to the bench for another night off. Austin Barnes will log another start behind the dish to replace him in the lineup.

Mesoraco (back) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Wednesday.

This turned out to be a much shorter DL stint than we've come to expect from the embattled backstop, as it lasted just two weeks. Despite the activation, Mesoraco will not be in the lineup Wednesday night, although the expectation is that he'll assume regular catching duties soon. Tucker Barnhart will likely assume catching duties when the Reds opt to rest Mesoraco.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto went 0-for-6 in the first two games of the series, ending a nine-game hitting streak during which he batted .439. He'll hit the bench for the day game following the night game, affording A.J. Ellis a turn behind the plate.

Contreras is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Braves.

Contreras has been behind the dish for each of the Cubs' first five games out of the All-Star break, so manager Joe Maddon will give the young backstop a breather in the day game after a night game. Victor Caratini will catch for Cubs starter Mike Montgomery.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's win over the Braves.

That's now 13 home runs this season for the young catcher, and four already this month. Since July 1, Contreras is slashing .380/.436/.700, and he looks locked in as a strong fantasy option at catcher right now.

With Austin Hedges (concussion) being placed on the disabled list Tuesday, Sanchez will serve as the Padres' starting catcher in the interim.

Hedges was experiencing lingering concussion symptoms over the past few days, so the Padres decided to let their starting catcher mend on the 7-day concussion DL. This opens up a short-term window of playing time for Sanchez, who has thrived at the plate with three home runs over his previous three starts. Luis Torrens will spell the veteran backstop -- like he did Tuesday -- but Sanchez should see the majority of starts for however long Hedges remains sidelined, giving the switch-hitting catcher temporary value in two-catcher leagues.

Hedges was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list Tuesday.

The 24-year-old missed the past three games due to some lingering issues from when he was hit in the head by a foul ball Friday. He has cleared all concussion protocol thus far, but the team wants to play things safe for now by sending him back to San Diego for further testing. Reliever Jose Valdez was summoned from the minors to fill the void on the roster.