MLB Player News

Mesoraco (leg) could return to the lineup Friday, MLB.com reports.

The ailment that's kept Mesoraco on the bench for two games has been officially labeled right leg tightness. The 27-year-old underwent surgery last summer to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. Tucker Barnhart is starting in place of Mesoraco again Thursday.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Diamondbacks.

After making his first start of the season Wednesday, Grandal will be replaced behind the plate by A.J Ellis for Thursday's series finale. Grandal went 0-for-3 with a walk Wednesday and might not be back in the lineup until Saturday given that Clayton Kershaw, who is starting Friday, is usually caught by Ellis.

Barnhart is in the lineup and hitting eighth for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Barnhart will receive his second consecutive start while Devin Mesoraco continues to deal with right leg tightness. The Indianapolis native has filled in nicely for the Reds, hitting .444/.545/.444 in 11 plate appearances this season.

Mesoraco (leg) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Mesoraco is hitting a lowly .105 to start 2016 and has now missed back-to-back games with right leg tightness. It is unclear whether Mesoraco will return for the Reds' weekend series with St. Louis, but Tucker Barnhart will take over the catching duties for the Reds until he is back.

Mesoraco is dealing with tightness in his right leg, which is presumably why he is out of the lineup Wednesday, the Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans reports.

Last year he had surgery on his left leg, and he said this feels very different from what he dealt with last year. It is unclear how serious this latest issue will turn out to be for Mesoraco, but he was already off to a poor start at the plate, and for him to already be dealing with lower-body tightness/soreness has to be frustrating for his owners. Tucker Barnhart will start at catcher and hit eighth Wednesday.

Grandal will get the start at catcher Wednesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

After starting the season on the disabled list due to a forearm injury, Grandal will be making his first start of the year Wednesday. He'll immediately get the start behind the plate and he'll bat sixth in the order behind Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig. In his career, Grandal has collected two hits and two walks in six at-bats against Arizona starter Rubby De La Rosa.

Rupp is back in the lineup for Wednesday's game against San Diego, batting fifth.

Rupp will take back over behind the plate for the Phillies Wednesday after receiving the day off for Game 2 of their series with the Padres. Both Rupp and Carlos Ruiz have had a pretty even split in terms of playing time at catcher this season, with each backstop tallying 16 plate appearances thus far in 2016. Rupp carries more upside, but Ruiz will continue to see regular playing time as well.

Diaz has been shut down again due to persistent soreness in his elbow, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates' catching prospect continues to deal with what the team is referring to as "lateral elbow soreness" and he will be shut down from baseball activities yet again. There was optimism in spring training that he'd avoid undergoing surgery, but Berry reports that the team is now seeking a second opinion on Diaz's injured elbow. Diaz remains on the disabled list and his timetable to return won't become clear until team doctors reassess his elbow.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

After getting off to a horrific start at the plate, Mesoraco will get another day off Wednesday. Tucker Barnhart will take his spot behind the dish.

Plawecki is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Plawecki will get the nod in place of Travis d'Arnaud on Wednesday with the Mets playing a day game following a night game. He will hit eighth against Marlins southpaw Adam Conley.