MLB Player News

Mets backup catcher Johnny Monell had two RBI in Monday's win over San Francisco. Monell doubled his season RBI total, with his first runs batted in since May 10. 

Monell hit his first double since May 10 and went 1 for 4, hitting in his third straight game. 

The National League All Star reserves and pitchers were announced on Monday evening, and there was no room for the reigning National League MVP.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was not selected for the All Star team, although he's one of five candidates to take the final spot on the roster in the Final Vote. 

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant made the team as an injury replacement for the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton. Bryant is one of two rookies on the team, along with Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson. 

The Pirates sent two starting pitchers to the All Star team for the first time since 1960. MLB wins leader Gerrit Cole and fellow Pittsburgh starter A.J. Burnett will both be making their first appearance. 

National League reserves are:

Catchers: Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers; Yadier Molina, Cardinals
First basemen: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers; Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
Second basemen: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies; Joe Panik, Giants
Third basemen: Nolan Arenado, Rockies; Kris Bryant, Cubs
Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, Giants
Outfielders: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; Joc Pederson, Dodgers; A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks; Justin Upton, Padres

National League pitchers are:

Madison Bumgarner, Giants; A.J. Burnett, Pirates; Aroldis Chapman, Reds; RHP: Gerrit Cole, Pirates; Jacob deGrom, Mets; Zack Greinke, Dodgers; Mark Melancon, Pirates; Shelby Miller, Braves; Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies; Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers; Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals; Max Scherzer, Nationals; Michael Wacha, Cardinals

The five candidates for the Final Vote are:

Johnny Cueto, Reds; Jeurys Familia, Mets; Carlos Martinez, Cardinals; Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's game. Grandal has started a team-high 56 games behind the plate, including six of the last seven. 

In Grandal's place, A.J. Ellis gets the start at catcher for the 25th time this year. Ellis and Grandal have split the last four starts. 

The Diamondbacks have reinstated catcher Oscar Hernandez from the 60-day disabled list, the team announced on Saturday. Hernandez has been out all season due to a broken hand.

Hernandez played in 13 rehab games, going 8 for 38 with three RBI.  

As a Rule 5 draft pick, the Diamondbacks must keep a healthy Hernandez on the 25-man roster, or risk losing him back to the Rays.

The D-Backs have optioned outfielder Danny Dorn to Triple-A to clear room on the roster for Hernandez.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal blasted his 12th home run of the season in the 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Grandal smoked a two-run shot in the second inning to give his club an early 2-0 advantage. 

He later added a two-run double in the 10th inning to pad the Dodgers' lead to 6-3. He has now homered in two straight games, and has four over his last eight contests. 

"Yaz has had some big offensive games for us," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said, per MLB.com. "I still think there's more in there, to be honest."

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said catcher Oscar Hernandez could be activated from the disabled list as soon as this weekend, according to Fox Sports Arizona. Hernandez, who is recovering from a wrist injury, has played in 10 rehab games so far, amassing six hits in 28 at-bats.

It is unclear exactly when Hernandez will be activated, and what his role will be with the Diamondbacks upon his return. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Welington Castillo seem to be entrenched as platoon-mates behind the plate. 

Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart totaled a career-high four hits and drove in two runs during an 11-7 win Monday against the Twins. He also had one run.

Barnhart had a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first inning and an RBI single in the third inning. He doubled in the sixth and singled again in the eighth.

Barnhart has been on a nice run offensively, hitting safely in five straight games. He has totaled multiple hits four times in that span. However, Monday was the first time in 10 June games that he drove in a run.

He is batting .600 (12 for 20) with four doubles and one walk in his last five games.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco underwent successful surgery Monday to repair a left hip impingement, MLB.com has reported.

Bryan Price expressed joy at the result after hearing from Mesoraco.

"Thumbs up, big thumbs up," Price said. "I've been back and forth with the texts to him. He's very happy."

Mesoraco is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal connected off Allen Webster in the fourth inning for his 11th home run of the season during Monday's 10-6 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Grandal finished the game 2 for 3 with one RBI and two walks. Prior to Monday's performance, Grandal was hitting .167 with two home runs and three RBI in his last 10 games.

The Reds will shuffle the bottom of their lineup against the Mets on Saturday.

Outfielder Marlon Byrd will take over center field over Billy Hamilton and bat fifth in the lineup. Left fielder Skip Schumaker will hit sixth, taking over for Chris Dominguez who held the spot for Friday's game. Ivan De Jesus will replace Eugenio Suarez at the shortstop position while batting out of the seventh spot. Finally, Tucker Barnhart will replace Brayan Pena at the catcher spot and will hit from the eighth spot.