MLB Player News

Barnes is behind the plate and batting eighth in the Dodgers' lineup Thursday against the Padres, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Barnes is spelling Yasmani Grandal in the getaway afternoon game. He'll get a handful of starts each month and offers some intrigue in deep two-catcher fantasy leagues -- mainly NL-only.

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

The backstop is resting in this getaway day contest, yielding to Austin Barnes, who's batting eighth. Grandal should rejoin the starters Friday at Coors Field against the Rockies.

Sanchez is in the Padres' lineup Thursday behind the plate and hitting seventh against the Dodgers, Bob Scanlan of FOX Sports reports.

The backup is spelling Austin Hedges in the afternoon contest. Sanchez likely will return to the bench Friday.

Hedges is not in the Padres' Thursday lineup, Bob Scanlan of FOX Sports reports.

Hedges suited up Wednesday night and will occupy a spot on the pine in Thursday's afternoon contest. Expect him to return to the starting card Friday.

Murphy (forearm) will undergo testing Monday to assess how his fracture is healing, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

Murphy suffered a fractured forearm in mid March, with his recovery timetable estimated at four-to-six weeks. Rockies manager Bud Black said the catcher has ramped up his exercise program, but a return still shouldn't be expected any sooner than mid-to-late April. Tony Wolters started behind the plate in each of the team's first three games, going 2-for-10 with a pair of singles and a walk. Murphy figures to get most of the playing time against southpaws once he's available, but Wolters likely will make most of the starts versus right-handers.

Rupp is out of the lineup Thursday against the Reds, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports.

Rupp started the first two games of the season for Philadelphia, but will get the afternoon contest off. Andrew Knapp will man the backstop in his stead.

Barnhart is not in the Reds' lineup Thursday.

The starting backstop gets a breather in this day game following a night outing. Stuart Turner will slide in behind the plate and bat eighth.

Realmuto went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI including a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Nationals.

The Marlins catcher is 4-for-8 at the plate to begin the season but also flashed his defensive skills Wednesday, gunning down Bryce Harper on a steal attempt and picking off Jayson Werth at second base. Realmuto's offense took a big step forward in 2016, but he may not have reached his ceiling yet.

Mesoraco (hip, shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Pensacola, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

The Reds can have Mesoraco rehab for up to 20 days with Pensacola, but they don't anticipate needing the full span. They want to see him catch full games on consecutive days before they activate him, however.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

After catching two straight to open the 2017 season, Contreras will give way to Miguel Montero behind the plate for Wednesday's afternoon game with John Lackey pitching. Contreras hit a game-tying, three-run home run on Opening Day and reached base twice Tuesday, but he's also struck out four times in seven at-bats in the early going.