MLB Player News

Realmuto went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

Realmuto took Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda deep in the third inning for his second home run of the year. After starting the season on the disabled list, the backstop has come out swinging, going 8-for-20 in six games with five RBI and five runs scored. Realmuto hit .278 last year with 17 home runs and 65 RBI.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Grandal is off to a solid start to the season, hitting .328/.423/.552 with three homers in 18 games, but he will get the night off after making seven consecutive starts behind the dish. Austin Barnes will start at catcher and hit sixth in his stead.

Barnhart is starting at catcher and hitting sixth Tuesday against the Braves, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

Barnhart was originally scheduled to get the game off, but he'll rejoin the starting lineup after Devin Mesoraco was scratched with neck stiffness. The 27-year-old backstop is hitting .250/.348/.417 with two homers in 70 plate appearances this season.

Mesoraco was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Braves with neck stiffness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

The Reds have yet to indicate that Mesoraco is dealing with a serious injury, so consider him day-to-day for now. With Mesoraco out of the lineup, Tucker Barnhart will serve as Cincinnati's backstop and hit sixth.

Barnhart is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Braves.

Devin Mesoraco will receive his seventh start of the season in Barnhart's place. Barnhart is hitting a solid .250/.348/.417 with two homers in his first 70 plate appearances.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.

Hedges, who is hitting just .141 on the season, will head to the bench for a breather after starting each of the previous four games behind the dish and going 2-for-13 over that stretch. In his place, A.J. Ellis will start at catcher and hit eighth.

Realmuto went 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Brewers.

He's off to a good start since coming off the disabled list, going 5-for-12 in four games with a homer, four RBI and four runs. Realmuto's hitting second for the Marlins, and while their lineup is among the worst in the majors, that spot should still provide the 27-year-old catcher with plenty of run-producing opportunities.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer Sunday against the Phillies.

He's started only five games in 2018 but has nine hits in 19 at-bats in those contests. Diaz doesn't play enough to offer value to many fantasy owners and hit just .223 in 200 plate appearances with Pittsburgh in 2017. The 27-year-old could see more playing time at some point this summer, however, given starting catcher Francisco Cervelli's extensive injury history.

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 over the Nationals.

Grandal has a hit in each of his last 11 games after delivering a two-RBI double in the sixth inning Sunday. He continues to be red-hot at the plate, slashing .349/.446/.587 with three home runs and 16 RBI through 17 games. It's unlikely that Grandal will continue to hit at this pace, but a struggling Dodgers team will continue to ride his production.

Mesoraco (wrist) is starting at catcher and batting sixth Sunday against the Cardinals.

Mesoraco suffered a bruised right wrist Tuesday against the Brewers but was able to make a pinch-hit appearance Friday and will now carry starting duties Sunday. The wrist injury is behind him, and he should be good to go as the Reds' reserve catcher moving forward.