MLB Player News

Stephenson went 4-for-5 with a pair of home runs and five RBI for High-A Daytona in its 9-6 win over Bradenton on Thursday.

The hit and RBI totals matched career highs for the 21-year-old backstop, who is now slashing .282/.361/.451 across 391 plate appearances on the season. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Stephenson is quite large for a catcher, but his big frame hasn't hindered him too much defensively thus far in his development. The Reds will continue to bring the 2015 first-round pick through the system slowly and likely won't prepare him for a role with the big club until 2020.

Caratini went 3-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's win over the Cardinals.

Caratini got the start for Willson Contreras and made it count, as he recorded his first three-hit game of the season. Contreras figures to catch most days, but Caratini will spell him on occasion, and the 24-year-old could also see some time at first base and in the outfield for the Cubs in the second half.

Contreras is out of Thursday's starting lineup against the Cardinals.

Contreras will get an off day coming out of the break after participating in the All-Star Game. Victor Caratini is slated to handle the catching duties and bat eighth in his stead.

Jackson was promoted from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

After struggling in his first three seasons of professional ball with the Mariners, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 first-year player draft revived his flagging stock after being dealt to Atlanta prior to the 2017 campaign. Jackson posted an .808 OPS across two stops last season, but hasn't been nearly as productive at the plate in 2018 at Mississippi, slashing a meager .200/.282/.329. The Braves were evidently pleased by the strides Jackson made defensively, so he'll move up a rung on the minor-league ladder and share time with Jonathan Morales and Chris Sewart behind the dish.

Grandal went 3-for-3 with a solo home run Sunday against the Angels.

Grandal took Deck McGuire deep in the second inning to record his 13th home run of the season. He heads into the All-Star break on a hot stretch, recording 14 hits in 34 at-bats with two home runs, six runs scored and seven RBI since the calendar flipped to July.

Diaz will start behind the plate and bat fourth Sunday against the Brewers.

Diaz has re-emerged as the Pirates' primary backstop after Francisco Cervelli (concussion) was placed on the 7-day disabled list Saturday. Considering it's the second time Cervelli has hit the DL this season due to a head injury, it's fair to assume he may not be ready to return when first eligible July 21. As the Pirates' willingness to deploy him as the cleanup hitter in the series finale might suggest, Diaz has been stellar at the plate this season, slashing .292/.339/.481 with seven home runs across 168 plate appearances. Fantasy owners may want to consider kicking the tires on the 27-year-old if their current catcher options aren't getting the job done.

Hedges is not starting Saturday against the Cubs.

Hedges will sit despite grabbing three hits Friday. A.J. Ellis will get the start behind the plate instead.

Contreras is not in the lineup Saturday against the Padres.

Contreras is hitless in his last four games, though he's hit .340 with a .984 OPS in his last 15. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate in his place.

Hedges went 3-for-5 with an RBI in a loss to the Cubs on Friday.

Hedges has provided an adequate amount of power (two homers) in 14 games since returning from the disabled list, but his .348 batting average (16-for-46) over that span has really been a pleasant surprise for his fantasy owners. The 25-year-old is still striking out 28 percent of the time during his current hot streak (33.6 percent overall), so don't expect his season batting average to improve far past its current .240 mark.

Grandal is on the bench for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Grandal continues to sit against most lefties and will do so again with Andrew Heaney on the mound. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate in his place.