MLB Player News

Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hernandez was called up as the temporary backup to Christian Vazquez after Sandy Leon was placed on paternity leave. With Leon ready to return, Hernandez is being sent back to Triple-A Pawtucket. He did not appear in a game during the brief callup.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Cubs.

Gomes will head to the bench for the third time in four games as he is mired in an 0-for-22 slump over his last seven games. Kurt Suzuki will start behind the plate and bat fifth Sunday night.

Leon (personal) will be activated from the paternity list ahead of Monday's game against the Astros, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox will presumably send fellow catcher Oscar Hernandez down to the minors after Sunday's series finale against Houston to clear a spot on the active roster for Leon. Once he's formally reinstated, Leon will reprise his normal duties as the backup to top backstop Christian Vazquez.

Hedges is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Hedges stumbled through the first three games of the series by going 1-for-9 with six strikeouts and a walk, and he will take a seat for the finale. Austin Allen will start behind the plate and bat sixth Sunday.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Maldonado will receive a breather after catching eight innings in Saturday's 5-2 loss. Cam Gallagher checks in for him behind the dish.

McCann is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

McCann has gone hitless in nine at-bats over his last three starts but is still sitting on a robust .347 average for the season. His performance so far this season should give him plenty of security in his role as the White Sox's top backstop, though he'll rest in the series finale in favor of Welington Castillo.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Rockies.

Realmuto started the first two games of the series but will head to the bench for the finale, with Andrew Knapp taking his place behind the dish. Realmuto has slowed down a bit since the start of May with a .245/.281/.358 slash line in 14 games.

Barnes is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Barnes busted out with two hits in each of the past two games but will nonetheless take a seat for the series finale. Russell Martin will start behind the plate and bat eighth in his stead.

Casali will catch and bat eighth in Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers.

The start is Casali's third in the last four games as Tucker Barnhart continues to struggle at the plate (.081 average in May). Casali is 10-for-30 over his last 12 games, helping lead to more opportunities.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Barnhart's Gold Glove-caliber defense hasn't been enough to keep him in the lineup lately, as he'll sit for the third time in four games. Over 122 plate appearances, Barnhart is batting a career-low .163 while striking out 25.4 percent of the time, a seven-point increase from his 2018 mark. Curt Casali will once again replace Barnhart behind the plate.