MLB Player News

Grandal is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Wednesday.

Austin Barnes will receive another start behind the plate while Grandal begins Wednesday's contest on the bench. Due to Grandal's defensive struggles and lack of production at the dish, it wouldn't come as a shock to see Barnes start Game 6 on Friday when the series heads back to Milwaukee.

Grandal won't be in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grandal has had a miserable NLCS thus far, from committing costly errors in Game 1 to striking out in a key spot with the bases loaded in the ninth of Game 3. He's gone 3-for-22 with a double and a solo home run through seven games in the postseason and will be available off the bench for Tuesday's matchup. Austin Barnes is slated to take over the catching duties with Grandal out of the starting nine.

Barnes will start at catcher in Game 4 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Barnes started behind the dish in Game 2 of the NLCS and went 0-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, and after yet another miserable performance by Yasmani Grandal in Game 3, Barnes will get the opportunity to play. He'll be tasked with catching Rich Hill.

Grandal is expected to start behind the dish for Game 3 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Monday, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Dave Roberts was clearly not pleased by Grandal's performance in Game 1, which led to his benching in the second game of the series. Roberts stated he believes Grandal and starting pitcher Walker Buehler have good chemistry, so he's giving Grandal another chance in a pivotal postseason contest.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Saturday.

Grandal is just 2-for-17 so far in the postseason. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate, batting eighth.

Contreras went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Sunday against the Cardinals.

Contreras took Austin Gomber deep in the fifth inning to record his 10th home run of the season. It marked his first home run since Aug. 1 and only his third since the All-Star break. That long stretch without power is an illustration of Contreras' disappointing season, as his home run production was cut in half from the 2017 campaign.

Diaz will catch and bat cleanup Sunday against the Reds.

He's 4-for-12 with one homer and four RBI in his last three starts. Diaz also has three hits (including one double) in nine career at-bats against Sunday starter Sal Romano. The catcher is slashing .286/.338/.456 with 10 homers and 34 RBI in 272 plate appearances.

Mejia is not in the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Mejia has shown significantly more power against righties (.545 slugging percentage) than against lefties (.346 SLG) this season, so he'll head to the bench with southpaw Robbie Ray taking the hill for Arizona. Austin Hedges will replace him behind the dish for the season finale.

Plawecki is not in the lineup Sunday against the Marlins.

Plawecki started the past three contests but has just one hit to show for it. He'll sit out of the season finale, ending his season with a .685 OPS to go with seven home runs and 30 RBI. Tomas Nido will replace him behind the plate Sunday.

Realmuto is not in Sunday's lineup against the Mets, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto will finish the season on the bench for the second straight game and was 1-for-15 with six strikeouts in his last four games. Chad Wallach will start at catcher and bat seventh for the Marlins. Realmuto has a .277/.340/.484 slash line with 21 home runs and 74 RBI, although he could still make an appearance off the bench Sunday.