MLB Player News

Nido went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

The 25-year-old backup to Wilson Ramos has seen an uptick in his playing time recently, starting four of the last eight games, but Nido's .227/.250/.379 slash line on the year with three homers and seven RBI still doesn't make him much of a fantasy asset. It would likely take a Ramos injury to get Nido on the radar in most formats.

Smith hit a walkoff three-run home run as a pinch hitter against the Rockies on Sunday.

On the day he got called back up to the majors to take the roster spot of David Freese (hamstring), Smith made history by taking Scott Oberg deep in the ninth inning for the Dodgers' third consecutive game with a walkoff home run by a rookie. The 24-year-old has made quite an impression at the plate in his 22 at-bats this season, slashing .318/.375/.773 with three home runs -- two of which have been walkoffs.

Hedges went 3-for-6 with two doubles, three RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Pirates.

Hedges took advantage of his first start in the past five games, lacing a run-scoring double in the fourth inning before adding a two-RBI single and a stolen base -- his first of the season -- in the 11th. Even after Sunday's multi-hit performance, Hedges is hitting just .195 with a .629 OPS through 52 games this season.

Smith has been called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers placed David Freese (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, clearing the way for Smith to get called up for a second stint with the big club this season. He was impressive in his first major-league action, slashing .286/.348/.619 with a pair of homers in 21 at-bats. He continued to mash in Triple-A after getting sent down June 6, so the 24-year-old will look to keep it rolling at the dish.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Contreras started the last four contests but will get a maintenance day Sunday after going 5-for-15 with two homers in that stretch. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate and bat seventh in the series finale.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Milwaukee.

Barnhart and Curt Casali have alternated starts for the last nine games, with Casali taking his turn Sunday. Barnhart is struggling in June with a .171/.286/.229 slash line in 35 at-bats.

Mejia is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Pirates.

Mejia started the last four games behind the plate and appears to have taken over the starting role, but he nonetheless takes a maintenance day in the series finale. Austin Hedges will start in his absence at Pittsburgh.

Realmuto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Realmuto started the last three games but will head to the bench for the series finale mired in an 0-for-15 slump. Andrew Knapp will start behind the plate and bat seventh Sunday.

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an RBI double, two runs and a walk in a 6-5 victory over the Reds on Saturday.

The catcher looked pretty comfortable hitting atop the order for the first time this season. He smashed a leadoff homer in the first and then clubbed a double in the fourth. It will be interesting to see if the solo homer discourages the Brewers from keeping Grandal at the top of the lineup or if they prefer some power out of the No. 1 spot. Grandal is hitting .274 with a .383 on-base percentage, which makes him an intriguing option to lead off. He also has 17 homers, 45 RBI, 38 runs and three steals in 237 at-bats.

Barnes is not starting against the Rockies on Saturday.

Barnes has a poor .559 OPS over his last 10 games. He'll get a rest Saturday, with Russell Martin starting behind the plate.