MLB Player News

Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grandal will head to the bench for a breather after starting four out of the Dodgers' first five games behind the dish, including two straight. Austin Barnes will pick up the start at catcher in his place, hitting eighth.

Realmuto (back) will begin his rehab assignment Wednesday at High-A Jupiter, Craig Mish of Sirius XM reports.

Realmuto is working his way back from a back contusion suffered in mid-March. Early reports indicated that he would miss the first two or three weeks of the season. He's now targeting a return on April 19 or 20, which would put him right on the three-week mark. Chad Wallach and Bryan Holladay will continue to split catching duties in his absence.

Grandal went 3-for-6 with a double, a home run, two walks, two RBI and a pair of runs scored in Monday's 8-7 marathon loss to the Diamondbacks.

The slugging catcher flashed both of the hitting tools fantasy owners drafted him for (power and patience) in this one. Grandal has started four of the Dodgers' first five games of the season, so the offseason concerns regarding Austin Barnes stealing playing time against righties seem to have been overblown. The 29-year-old's hot start at the dish (7-for-16) may have something to do with that. Consider Grandal a strong play at catcher while he's seeing regular at-bats against righties in the heart of the order.

Hedges was scratched from Monday's lineup due to tightness in his upper back, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

With Hedges out, A.J. Ellis will start behind the dish for the Padres. The club didn't provide any information regarding the severity of the 25-year-old's injury, so consider Hedges day-to-day until further notice. Hedges has gone 1-for-11 (.091) over three games this season, with his only hit being a home run.

Realmuto (back) has resumed catching drills, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto continues to slowly work his way back from a back contusion that forced him to open the season on the disabled list. While the backstop's progress is encouraging, he remains a couple of weeks away from returning to action. In the meantime, Chad Wallach and Bryan Holaday will continue to split time behind the dish until Realmuto is healthy.

Perez was added to the Braves' active roster Monday.

Josh Ravin (illness) was sent to the disabled list to clear room on the Braves' roster for the addition of Perez, who was acquired from the Angels over the weekend. With Tyler Flowers (oblique) expected to miss extended time and Kurt Suzuki nursing a hand injury, Perez will immediately step in and share catching duties with Chris Stewart, though it's unclear if Perez will remain with the big club following the return of Suzuki.

Contreras is catching and batting fourth in Monday's game against the Reds.

Contreras received his first day off of the season Sunday after starting the Cubs' first three games. So far this year, he's just 4-for-17 with seven strikeouts, but he has the ability to get the bat going in a hurry.

Wallach went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and an RBI in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Cubs.

The 26-year-old catcher had a brutal start to the season, going 0-for-10 with eight strikeouts in his first two games, but Marlins manager Don Mattingly stuck with him and got rewarded for his patience Sunday. Wallach appears set to see regular duty behind the plate until J.T. Realmuto (back) is ready to come off the disabled list in a couple of weeks.

Perez will join the Braves in advance of Monday's series opener against the Nationals, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

With Tyler Flowers (oblique) expected to be sidelined for a month and Kurt Suzuki (hand) possibly headed for the DL as well, Perez has an opportunity to earn immediate playing time. He and Chris Stewart would likely split reps behind the plate once an official roster move is announced.

Barnhart is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Nationals.

Barnhart started the first two games of the year for the Reds, going 1-for-7 at the plate. He'll now be held out for what appears to be just a regular maintenance day, giving way to Devin Mesoraco behind the plate.