MLB Player News

Grandal returned to the starting lineup Sunday after a two-day layoff, going 1-for-4 with his 11th home run of the season in a loss to the Padres.

Austin Barnes' two-homer, seven-RBI performance Friday earned the backup another start on Saturday, but Grandal reminded manager Dave Roberts why he is the Dodgers' top offensive catcher with a solo blast Sunday. It is worth noting that his bomb came against the left-handed Ryan Buchter, just his second homer off a southpaw this season. Barnes may have earned an extra start per week while his bat is hot, but Grandal is still the catcher to own from a fantasy perspective.

Realmuto went 3-for-6 with a double, two runs and two RBI on Sunday in Milwaukee.

Realmuto was tremendous out of the top spot with Dee Gordon sitting. His two-run single in the eight inning dashed any hopes of a Brewers comeback by making the score 9-3. The 26-year-old catcher is following up last season's .303/.343/.428 line with a .289/.348/.449 showing.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

With no news of an injury, it appears Hedges is simply receiving a day of rest. Luis Torrens will fill in behind the plate in his absence.

Realmuto will catch and assume leadoff duties in Sunday's game against the Brewers, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto isn't expected to stick in the leadoff spot beyond Sunday since regular table setter Dee Gordon is simply receiving the day off for rest. The backstop has typically occupied the No. 6 or 7 spot in recent games that both he and Gordon have appeared in.

Stewart will start behind the plate and bat eighth Sunday against the Giants, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

It initially appeared that the higher-upside Elias Diaz would settle in as the Pirates' primary starter behind the dish while Francisco Cervelli (concussion) has been sidelined, but those duties seem to have fallen to Stewart, who will pick up his fourth start in six games Sunday. Stewart collected only two hits in those previous three starts and is batting .203 on the season, so it will be difficult to wring much fantasy value out of him while he retains the top spot on the depth chart.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

D'Arnaud started the first two games of the series and will now give way to Rene Rivera behind the plate. The 28-year-old backstop is currently slashing an uninspiring .232/.294/.471 this season.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cubs, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Barnhart still finds himself behind Devin Mesoraco on the depth chart, but with the Reds eager to limit the latter's workload behind the plate following back-to-back injury-riddled seasons, Barnhart will play more than most backup catchers. In fact, Barnhart started the first two games of the series, going 1-for-6 with a walk and an RBI.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Grandal will get a second day off while manager Dave Roberts rides the hot bat of Austin Barnes. Barnes plated seven runners during Friday's victory, going 2-for-5 with two home runs. Grandal is likely to be back in the lineup for Sunday's finale with Kenta Maeda on the mound.

Mesoraco is out of Saturday's lineup against the Cubs, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He takes a seat for the second game in a row, with Tucker Barnhart starting behind the dish and hitting eighth. Mesoraco does not play as much as a typical starting catcher, but he produces enough (.828 OPS) when he does play that he should still be rostered in deeper one-catcher formats and all two-catcher leagues.

Barnes went 2-for-5 with two home runs and seven RBI in Friday's win over the Padres.

Barnes had only compiled two homers and 11 RBI before his offensive explosion Friday. The backup catcher is now slashing a respectable .284/.398/.537 with 14 extra-base hits and 18 RBI in 41 games. His value will remain limited given he only receives one or two starts per week, but he could prove to be serviceable in deeper leagues should something happen to Yasmani Grandal.