MLB Player News

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Grandal has started seven of the last eight games behind the plate but will cede catching duties to A.J. Eliis Sunday. Third baseman Juan Uribe is back in the lineup as expected, while Alex Guerrero is in left field for a second straight game but has been moved up to the fifth spot in the order after batting eighth Saturday. It's the first time this season Guerrero has slotted higher than sixth.

The Dodgers are favorites (-145) against the Diamondbacks Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon is not in the lineup for the first time this season Sunday, while third baseman Martin Prado is receiving his second day off in his team's matchup with the Phillies.

Gordon has led off all season, while Prado has been the team's No. 2 hitter for the last games with Christian Yelich out. With the pair on the bench. left fielder Ichiro Suzuki will lead off against the Phillies, while shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria will bat second.

The Marlins are also giving catcher J.T. Realmuto a break after starting the team's last eight games. Jhonatan Solano will draw the start behind the plate in his place.

The Marlins are heavy favorites (-185) Sunday.

Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

The Reds are sending a tough righty to the mound in the form of Johnny Cueto, but the Braves will allow lefty-swinging Pierzynski, who has hit .377/.400/.604 in 53 at-bats and is the only Atlanta player with an OPS north of .850, a day of rest. Christian Bethancourt will draw the start behind the plate and bat seventh.

The Braves are home underdogs (+134) Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

Reds outfielders Billy Hamilton and Marlon Byrd are joining catcher Devin Mesoraco (hip) on the bench for Sunday's game against the Braves.

Hamilton is getting a break after making 11 straight starts out of the leadoff spot, while Byrd has seen 11 straight starts in left field. It's just a regular day off for both players, who will get a two-day break due to the team's scheduled off-day Monday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Both Hamilton and Byrd are available if needed Sunday. With the pair out, Skip Schumaker will lead off and play left field, while Brennan Boesch will bat seventh and play center field.

Mesoraco hasn't appeared in the starting lineup since the first week of the season, as he's continued to rehab from a left hip impingement while remaining on the active roster.

The Reds are road favorites (-142) in Atlanta with Johnny Cueto on the mound.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has been limited to four pinch hitting appearances since he suffered a hip inpingement on April 12. 

"This is a guy who would be hitting fourth right now if he were healthy enough to be behind the plate. He's a middle-of-the-order guy," manager Bryan Price said, per Cincinnati.com. 

Mesoraco may get consistent playing time this week, as the Reds are scheduled to play an interleague series on the road against the White Sox. That means their lineup will include a designated hitter. 

The Mets gave several regulars a rest on Saturday. 

Right fielder Curtis Granderson, catcher Kevin Plawecki and shortstop Wilmer Flores are all out of the starting lineup. 

John Mayberry makes his third start of the year in right, batting leadoff. Ruben Tejada makes his fourth start at short, batting seventh. Luke Recker will catch and bat eighth. 

Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart and outfielder Billy Hamilton each hit a home run in Thursday night's 5-1 win over the Braves. 

Barnhart hit a solo home run on a 3-2 pitch to start the top of the seventh inning. It was Barnhart's second home run of the season. He's now hitting .231/.286/.692 after going 1 for 4 against Atlanta. 

Hamilton hit his home run in the top of the ninth inning, also giving him his second of the season. Hamilton went 1 for 5 and is now hitting .217//.278/.349. 

Reds backup catcher Brayan Pena is giving way to his backup Thursday night for the second straight game.

Pena, who has been behind the plate with Devin Mesoraco on the mend, is set to sit in Atlanta. Tucker Barnhart is in the lineup instead.

An 0-for-2 performance Tuesday ended a six-game hitting streak for Pena.

Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski was given a day off on Thursday, after catching the previous three games. Pierzynski has been hot at the plate lately, batting .455 (10 for 22) with nine RBI in his last six games.

Christian Bethancourt got the start behind the dish for the Braves, and left fielder Kelly Johnson was inserted into the cleanup spot in the lineup against the Reds on Thursday, the team announced.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal was dropped from fifth in the batting order to seventh in the team's new-look lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday that he spoke with Grandal last weeked about simplifying his approach at the plate in order to help kickstart his offense, MLB.com reports.

"I told him to simplify -- get good pitches, hit the ball hard," Mattingly said. "We'll try to move him a little bit to get to that. If we can simplify, he'll be fine. I feel like he's trying really hard."

Grandal has hit just .196/.317/.294 with one home run and two RBI in 51 at-bats coming into Wednesday's game.