MLB Player News

Grandal is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Despite knocking three homers over the last two games, Grandal will head to the bench for Thursday's series finale. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish for him, while Grandal should be back in action Friday against the Rockies.

Jackson has gone 0-for-9 with a walk and a pair of strikeouts in three games since returning from the 7-day DL.

While he's hitless in his first three games back following a month-long absence due to injury, Jackson is still slashing .284/.348/.543 on the season. He has 10 home runs in 178 at-bats (fifth most in the Florida State League), which is just one fewer than he managed in 381 at-bats at Low-A in the Mariners' organization last year. Now that Jackson's catching (as opposed to playing the corner outfield) and beginning to find himself at the plate, the former No. 6 overall pick's stock in dynasty leagues is trending back up.

Diaz will start behind the plate and bat fifth Thursday in Milwaukee.

With Francisco Cervelli back on the DL with concussion-like symptoms, Diaz figures to see an increase in playing time. The catcher is hitting .302 in 53 at-bats. Although that number figures to drop in a larger sample size, Diaz has shown that he can hit around .280 or so in the upper minor-league levels.

Stallings was called back up to the big-league roster Thursday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It wasn't a long minor-league stint for the catcher, who was just optioned to Triple-A on Sunday. He'll be replacing starter Francisco Cervelli on the roster, as Cervelli was placed on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion. Stallings, who is 2-for-7 with the Pirates this year, will be behind Elias Diaz and Chris Stewart at catcher and isn't expected to receive many at-bats.

Grandal smashed a pair of solo homers in four at-bats against the Mets on Wednesday.

The powerful backstop's turned his slugging back on, as he has three homers in the last two games. If he's kicking around on your waiver wire, jump on the train and ride this hot streak.

Stewart is in the lineup for Wednesday's game, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

After spending three weeks on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, Stewart will be making his first start since late May when the Pirates face off with Milwaukee on Wednesday. The catcher will bat eighth in his return.

Hedges (thigh) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs, Bob Scanlan of Fox Sports San Diego reports.

Hedges was expected to return to action Wednesday, but with Thursday being an off-day for the Padres, they'll keep him on the bench to effectively get two more days of rest. Luis Torrens will assume catching duties for the evening in his stead, but look for Hedges to get back in the lineup Friday when the team hosts the Tigers.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto will head to the bench for what looks like a routine rest day, with an early-afternoon game on tap following a night game. A.J. Ellis will step in behind the plate. The 26-year-old Realmuto has hit safely in nine of his last 11 games and sits with an even .800 OPS for the season.

Grandal went 3-for-5 with his seventh homer and a pair of runs against the Mets on Tuesday.

He got his piece of a 12-0 rout, highlighted by that fifth-inning homer -- Grandal's first long ball since June 2. In his 12 games between then and Tuesday, Grandal went just 8-for-48 (.167) with 17 strikeouts, so this game was a welcome departure from his recent returns. Of course, he's always been a streaky hitter; perhaps this is the kickoff of a hot stretch.

Barnhart went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Rays.

He's started three straight games and five of the last eight, as Devin Mesoraco's struggles at the plate have opened the door for Barnhart to reclaim some of his lost playing time. The 26-year-old is hitting .316 (6-for-19) with three doubles over that stretch and certainly isn't hurting his chances of seeing steady at-bats going forward, but his value will likely remain tied to what Mesoraco does or doesn't do rather than Barnhart's own performance.