MLB Player News

Barnes is out of the starting lineup for Game 3 of the World Series against Boston on Friday.

Manager Dave Roberts will give Yasmani Grandal his first start of the series during Friday's game, citing the catcher's arm strength and matchup versus right-hander Rich Porcello. During the first two games in Boston, Barnes failed to collect a hit, going 0-for-4 in four plate appearances.

Vazquez will sit for Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sandy Leon will get the start, catching Chris Sale. Leon is 0-for-7 thus far in the postseason, while Vazquez has gone 5-for-22, good for a .227 average.

Barnes will draw another start behind the plate for Game 6 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Friday, Jorge Castillo of The Los Angeles Times reports.

This will mark his third straight start in the lineup after catching Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The Dodgers have claimed victories in each of the three starts Barnes has made this series, and he's proven to be the security blanket for manager Dave Roberts in light of Yasmani Grandal's costly errors.

Leon is out of the starting lineup for Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Wednesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Christian Vazquez will catch Rick Porcello and bat eighth in the order in Leon's absence. This marks the third straight game that manager Alex Cora has elected to start Vazquez behind the plate.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Wednesday.

Austin Barnes will receive another start behind the plate while Grandal begins Wednesday's contest on the bench. Due to Grandal's defensive struggles and lack of production at the dish, it wouldn't come as a shock to see Barnes start Game 6 on Friday when the series heads back to Milwaukee.

Leon is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Astros on Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon will hit the bench after going hitless in his only at-bat during the first two games of the series. Christian Vazquez is starting behind the dish and hitting eighth in his place.

Maldonado is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Red Sox on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado will hit the bench after going 1-for-6 with a pair of runs and a pair of strikeouts in the first two games of the series. Brian McCann will start behind the dish and hit eighth in his stead.

Grandal won't be in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grandal has had a miserable NLCS thus far, from committing costly errors in Game 1 to striking out in a key spot with the bases loaded in the ninth of Game 3. He's gone 3-for-22 with a double and a solo home run through seven games in the postseason and will be available off the bench for Tuesday's matchup. Austin Barnes is slated to take over the catching duties with Grandal out of the starting nine.

Barnes will start at catcher in Game 4 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Barnes started behind the dish in Game 2 of the NLCS and went 0-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, and after yet another miserable performance by Yasmani Grandal in Game 3, Barnes will get the opportunity to play. He'll be tasked with catching Rich Hill.

Grandal is expected to start behind the dish for Game 3 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Monday, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Dave Roberts was clearly not pleased by Grandal's performance in Game 1, which led to his benching in the second game of the series. Roberts stated he believes Grandal and starting pitcher Walker Buehler have good chemistry, so he's giving Grandal another chance in a pivotal postseason contest.