MLB Player News

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt (thumb) is not in the starting lineup Thursday. Prior to the injury, Bethancourt was playing about every other game, so the fact that he's not in the lineup isn't surprising.

Until he is fully healthy, A.J. Pierzynski will continue to get the majority of the starts behind the plate.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal is out of the lineup Thursday, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports. As is usually the case, A.J. Ellis will get the start at catcher and hit sixth Thursday with Clayton Kershaw on the mound.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is not in the lineup Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Rubin reports. Manager Terry Collins confirmed d'Arnaud is simply getting the night off. Kevin Plawecki will get the start in his place and hit eighth in the order.

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt jammed his left thumb in Sunday's game and will now likely miss a few days while recovering, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The initial X-rays came back negative so rest seems to be the only remedy needed for a full recovery, although he's been spotted donning a brace on his left hand. Normal starter A.J. Pierzynski will remain behind the plate for the time being with Ryan Lavarnway waiting in the wings if needed.

Rockies catcher Tom Murphy hit his first career home run Saturday, going 3 for 5 with two RBI in a 10-2 drubbing of the Padres.

Murphy's showed good pop at the minor league level, hitting 20 home runs this season between Double-A and Triple-A. With primary catcher Nick Hundley on the 60-day disabled list, and 28-year-old Dustin Garneau possessing limited upside, look for Murphy to receive an uptick in playing time through the season.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday against the Pirates, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Dodgers are facing their fourth lefty starting pitcher in a row Saturday, which has resulted in Grandal hitting the bench for each contest. It seems like the catching platoon will continue down the stretch, though Grandal should seize control of the majority of the starts once the Dodgers begin to see a stream of right-handed pitching.

Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp is out of the lineup Saturday against the Braves, Jake Kaplan of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 

Rupp will take a seat after appearing in six of the Phillies' past seven games. Carlos Ruiz will be behind the dish and catch for rookie right-hander Jerad Eickhoff.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees. The Mets' young catcher has started four games in a row, so this is pretty standard rest for him.

Usual backup Kevin Plawecki will take over behind the plate as the team takes on Michael Pineda.

Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp went 1 for 3 with a solo homer and a walk in Friday's loss to Atlanta.

As he slowly takes the reins from veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz, Rupp has developed into a bit of a power threat. Over the past month, Rupp has gone yard five times and, despite hitting just one homer prior to the All-Star break, his eight dingers since ranks fifth among catchers.

Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski is not in the lineup Friday against the Phillies.

Pierzynski has been alternating starts with Christian Bethancourt for most of the month, a trend that will continue Friday. Bethancourt will get the start behind the plate and bat eighth.