MLB Player News

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, a stolen base and two strikeouts in Wednesday's loss to the Athletics.

Grandal launched his 20th homer of the year in the fifth inning, and later swiped his second stolen base of the season (sixth of his career). The backstop was riding an 0-for-11 stretch entering Wednesday, but he continues to lead all National League catchers in home runs (20) and RBI (57) while also posting a .256/.357/.502 slash line -- each of which would be career bests.

Narvaez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees.

Narvaez will head to the bench for the third time in four games. Kevan Smith will start behind the plate.

Maile is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Maile has been earning increasing playing time behind the plate, starting six of the Blue Jays' last nine games. He'll sit in favor of Russell Martin on Wednesday.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

The Reds will unsurprisingly give Barnhart a breather with the team playing a day game after a night game in the series finale. Curt Casali will check in behind the plate Wednesday, catching for starter Robert Stephenson in the latter's 2018 MLB debut.

Leon went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 10-7 extra-inning win over the Blue Jays.

With both Christian Vazquez (finger) and Blake Swihart (hamstring) on the disabled list, Leon is carrying the bulk of the load at catcher. That might not be helpful for fantasy owners as Leon is batting just .219, but it doesn't matter to Boston. Over Leon's last 25 starts, the Red Sox are 24-1. Tuesday marked his fourth straight start while Dan Butler, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Pawtucket when Swihart was added to the disabled list, has yet to see action. The Red Sox will likely give Leon a break or two in the coming days, particularly with a doubleheader coming Saturday.

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

Grandal will head to the bench against left-hander Sean Manaea after starting four of the last five games behind the dish -- and appearing in all five. Austin Barnes will start at catcher and hit ninth in his stead.

Murphy was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Murphy is hitting just .227/.253/.398 across 31 games with the Rockies this season -- and just .152/.188/.370 in 19 games since the start of July -- so he'll head back to the minors for more seasoning. With Murphy out of the picture for the time being, Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters will split time behind the dish for the Rockies.

Maile is in the lineup Tuesday against the Red Sox, his sixth start in the last nine games.

Maile has begun to edge out Russell Martin for playing time. In a lost season in Toronto, it makes sense that the 27-year-old Maile would be given at-bats over his 35-year-old teammate. Even an increased role doesn't make Maile a particularly enticing fantasy option, however, as he's hit just .232 with a 31.9 percent strikeout rate and only three homers in 54 games.

Caratini is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Tuesday's game against the Royals.

With regular catcher Willson Contreras getting a breather after three straight starts, Caratini will slot in to face Kansas City right-hander Brad Keller. The 24-year-old has a mediocre .634 OPS this season with no home runs and 10 RBI in 45 games, so he hasn't moved the needle much in fantasy leagues.

Contreras is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Royals.

Contreras will give way to Victor Caratini behind the dish following three straight starts. The backstop is off to a nice start to the month, slashing .333/.429/.556 with one homer and three RBI through five games.