MLB Player News

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.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Friday's game, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

Grandal gets a standard day off following two straight starts against the Angels. In his place, Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate while batting sixth.

Murphy was sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Murphy had been struggling ever since returning from the DL on June 15, going just 1-for-20 with two walks and seven strikeouts in eight games. He will head down to Albuquerque to clear his head and look to recapture the hitting form that he displayed in New Mexico's largest city during the 2016 season. In a corresponding move, the team recalled catcher Ryan Hanigan from Triple-A.

Mesoraco is not in Friday's lineup, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.

Mesoraco will get another day off following an 0-for-3 day with two strikeouts during Thursday's series finale against Milwaukee. In his place, Tucker Barnhart will catch Scott Feldman.

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting sixth Friday against the Reds.

It will be the first career start for the 23-year-old, who has made two pinch-hitting appearances since being recalled Wednesday. Caratini will be looking to translate his minor-league success to the big leagues, as the young prospect is slashing .343/.384/.539 through 68 games this year with Triple-A Iowa. Regular catcher Willson Contreras will be starting in left field for the third time this season.

D'Arnaud is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Despite collecting three hits -- including a home run -- over his last two starts, d'Arnaud will head to the bench for Thursday's series finale. Rene Rivera will crouch behind the dish in his stead.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Nationals.

Contreras supplied half of his team's offense when he took Washington starter Stephen Strasburg deep in the fourth inning. Contreras batted fourth in this one after a brief stint as the leadoff hitter on Monday. The young catcher was batting just .209 in early May, but he's now up .252 to go along with a .763 OPS.

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run during Wednesday's loss to the Angels.

Grandal's bomb tied the game in the top of the ninth inning, but unfortunately, the Angels walked it off in the bottom half. The backstop sports a .268/.322/.464 slash line with 10 homers, 30 RBI and 28 runs and should remain a rock-solid option in the majority of fantasy settings.

Barnes spelled Yasmani Grandal behind the dish Tuesday, going 0-for-3 in a win over the Angels.

While Barnes didn't contribute to the box score, he has been effective in a backup role this season (.278/.398/.478 in 40 games). The veteran backstop only receives a start or two per week, but he could gain deep-league value in the event Grandal goes down to injury.