MLB Player News

Hedges is not in the starting lineup Thursday against the Dodgers.

The 24-year-old was called up last Wednesday and had started five of the six games for which he's been with the club. Tonight, he'll give way to Derek Norris, who's hitting sixth. Known primarily as a defense-first prospect before this year, Hedges enjoyed a smashing season at Triple-A El Paso (.326/.353/.597, with 21 home runs in 334 plate appearances). Catchers often take a bit longer to grow into their hitting tools as they progress through a system, and even during their big-league career. He can contribute some last-ditch counting stats if you're struggling at the end of this season. Hedges also now boasts an intriguing package that could vault him into the Pads' starting backstop role -- and starting consideration in two-catcher fantasy leagues -- out of the gate next season.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

Jeff Mathis will take over behind the plate as Realmuto sits for the first time since Sept. 18. Realmuto's contact rate has dipped this year and that dip has not come with much of an uptick in power, but the 25-year-old has routinely found holes (.360 BABIP) and he runs more than any other player at the position. He's done enough across the board to be a top-5 catcher in terms of earned fantasy value this season.

Sanchez was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sanchez's performance at the Triple-A level this season left much to be desired. Between Triple-A Buffalo and Sacramento, Sanchez posted a .201/.298/.317 line over 61 games and recorded a 21.6-percent strikeout rate.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in Saturday's 10-4 loss to the Cardinals.

The rookie backstop smacked a solo homer to left in the ninth with the Cubs on the wrong end of a 10-3 score. Contreras now has a five-game hitting streak, with a pair of solo homers over that span. His solid campaign includes a .270/.346/.473 line with 11 homers and 32 RBI.

Rupp is out of the lineup Saturday against the Mets.

He has continued to start five days a week since roster expansion, but will make way for Jorge Alfaro on Saturday.

Stallings had a game-winning RBI single as a pinch hitter in the 11th inning in Friday's 6-5 victory over the Nationals.

Recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sept. 13, Stallings came through with the game-winning hit in what was his first at-bat since returning to the big league club. The 22-year-old has slashed .222/.222/.333 in a scant nine major league at-bats in 2016 and is essentially on the roster to serve as the third catcher for the balance of the campaign.

Realmuto cranked a solo home run during Thursday's loss to the Braves.

Realmuto's seventh-inning blast was his 11th on the year, marking a new career high and pushing his overall line to a strong .308/.349/.437 over 490 at-bats. The 25-year-old backsto has taken a massive step forward in his second full season in the majors, posting a .786 OPS on the year -- nearly 100 points better than his performance last season -- while chipping in double digit homers and steals.

Maldonado is not in the lineup Friday against the Reds.

Maldonado has acted as the primary catcher since Jonathan Lucroy's departure, but the 29-year-old will take the evening off to get some rest before the final week of the season. Andrew Susac will slot in behind the dish to replace him.

Grandal went 4-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a double and five RBI in Thursday's win over the Rockies.

Grandal was the hero Thursday, as he launched a solo home run to start the Dodgers' comeback after they went down early, then smacked a grand slam in the seventh inning that gave his team the lead for good. Grandal has had a career year in 2016, as he has now set personal bests in hits (86), homers (27), RBI (69) and slugging percentage (.491).

Hedges was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Long known as one of the best young defensive catchers in professional baseball, it has taken awhile for Hedges to develop himself into a competent hitter. It remains to be seen how much of his 2016 production should be attributed to the advantageous hitting conditions of the Pacific Coast League, but on paper it looks to be a breakout campaign. Hedges hit .326/.353/.597 with 21 home runs and a 15.3 percent K-rate in 334 plate appearances with El Paso. He has a chance to be the Padres' starting catcher heading into 2017, and if a fragment of his offensive production carries over against big league pitching he could be useful in a wide range of formats next year. Look for him to start a handful of games down the stretch, offering the potential for a home run or two by season's end.