MLB Player News

Grandal (forearm) is scheduled to play one more rehabilitation game for Triple-A Oklahoma City before being activated for Tuesday's home opener against Arizona, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

Grandal was 2-for-2 on Saturday, and with A.J. Ellis (2-for-15) and Austin Barnes (1-for-10) both off to slow starts, Grandal's return to the lineup will be very welcome.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Sunday that Diaz (elbow) is still feeling discomfort, but that it isn't ligament related.

Speaking on his weekly radio show, Huntington believes there's "still a good, positive prognosis in there." The Pirates continue to rest his throwing arm to allow the elbow time for recovery.

D'Arnaud is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Phillies.

D'Arnaud has started each of the first four games of the season for New York, collecting just one base hit in his first 12 at-bats. He'll get a day off to clear his head, with Kevin Plawecki set to replace him and catch Sunday's starter, Matt Harvey.

Rupp is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets.

Chalk this up as a regular maintenance day for Rupp, who started the first two games of the series for the Phillies. Veteran Carlos Ruiz will man the backstop in his stead.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup Saturday against the Pirates, MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco will get a day off, as the Reds will insert Tucker Barnhart at catcher. Expect to see Mesoraco back behind the plate for Sunday's series finale.

Grandal (forearm) caught eight innings and hit a game-tying home run in a rehab game at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday night. He finished 1-for-2 with a solo homer and a pair of walks.

Although the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate lost in extra innings, that Grandal was able to make it through the bulk of a game behind the plate is a good sign. It's expected that he'll see additional game action in his rehab assignment before a potential return for the Dodgers' home opener Tuesday.

Barnhart got the start at catcher Friday and went 3-for-3 with two runs against the Phillies.

Barnhart replaced Devin Mesoraco in the starting lineup and reached base in all four of his at-bats. The start came in order to give Mesoraco a chance to rest as he's coming off an injury-riddled season.

Grandal (forearm) is expected to be active by the Dodgers' home opener Tuesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old has been rehabbing in Triple-A Oklahoma City, but manager David Roberts stated that he will likely join the team next Tuesday. A healthy Grandal is one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, as his performance in the first half of last season demonstrated. Until he returns, A.J. Ellis and Austin Barnes will continue to share time behind the dish, with Barnes likely getting sent down upon his activation.

Realmuto will bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Nationals, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto got off to a slow start in his first two games, going just 1-for-9 and striking out three times. The 25-year-old will look to get back to form in a matchup with Tanner Roark and the Nationals on Thursday.

Rupp is out of the lineup Thursday against the Reds, Ryan Lawrence of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Rupp was passed over in favor of Carlos Ruiz on Opening Day, but returned to the starting lineup Wednesday evening. With a day game immediately on tap, manager Pete Mackanin decided to give the 27-year-old backstop the day off.