MLB Player News

Leon was placed on paternity leave Friday, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Leon has hit .200/.294/.333 in 12 games for the Red Sox this season. Oscar Hernandez's contract was selected from Triple-A Pawtucket in a corresponding move, leaving Hernandez as the temporary backup to Christian Vazquez. Leon should return within a few days.

Mejia (knee) has started baseball activities and could be in line for a rehab assignment soon, Bill Center of Padres.com reports.

The 23-year-old backstop has been out since May 11 with a sprained knee, but manager Andy Green said Thursday he's started catching again, indicating he's progressing from the injury. "If he feels good and is moving well, at some point in the near future we'll talk about a rehab assignment for him and let him go catch some games to make sure that knee is holding up," Green said. "Structurally, it is sound, it's just been sore for him a good portion of the year." Mejia was hitting just .167 over 54 at-bats before going down with the injury.

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and two walks during an 11-3 victory against the Phillies on Thursday.

The 30-year-old catcher had a slow start to this month, but he does have two homers in the last three games. That gives him eight long balls in just 137 at-bats. He is also hitting .263 with 11 extra-base hits, 23 RBI and 22 runs this season.

Garver (ankle) started rehab Thursday but remains in a walking boot, Casey Stern of MLB Network Radio reports. He's expected to return in 2-to-3 weeks.

Garver was placed on the injured list Wednesday due to a left ankle sprain, though it would appear that he won't be activated following the 10-day minimum. If all goes well in his rehab, the 28-year-old backstop could be back by the end of May.

Bemboom (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

As expected, Bemboom was sent to the IL after spraining his left knee during Wednesday's win over the Marlins. Nick Ciuffo is expected to be summoned from Triple-A Durham ahead of Friday's series opener against the Yankees to platoon alongside Travis d'Arnaud behind the dish for the time being.

Davis was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Davis is no longer needed at the big-league level with Victor Caratini back from the injured list. The backstop appeared in six games during his time with the big club, going 3-for-15 with a homer and four RBI.

Caratini (hand) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. He's starting at first base and hitting sixth against the Reds.

As expected, Caratini is back with the big club after completing a nine-game rehab assignment, going 8-for-30 with a pair of doubles and a 3:4 BB:K in those contests. The backup catcher will look to pick up where he left off prior to landing on the IL, as he was 8-for-17 with a homer and three doubles in six games before suffering a broken hand. Taylor Davis was optioned to the minors in a corresponding move.

McCann is not in the lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays.

McCann has started three of the past four games behind the dish for the White Sox, going 6-for-13 (.462) with a pair of doubles and three runs scored in those contests. In his place, Welington Castillo is starting at backstop in Thursday's series opener.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Maldonado's absence is merely for rest purposes with the Royals playing a day game after a night game. The 32-year-old's defensive skills continue to earn him the overwhelming share of starts behind the plate, as he's hitting .191 across 126 plate appearances this season.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Gomes will receive a maintenance day after drawing three of the last four turns behind the dish. Kurt Suzuki will step in as the starting catcher and bat seventh Thursday.