MLB Player News

Grandal went 3-for-3 with a solo home run Sunday against the Angels.

Grandal took Deck McGuire deep in the second inning to record his 13th home run of the season. He heads into the All-Star break on a hot stretch, recording 14 hits in 34 at-bats with two home runs, six runs scored and seven RBI since the calendar flipped to July.

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

Mejia's latest stint in the big leagues lasted just two days. He went 0-for-2 with two walks during one start in the designated hitter slot. The Indians are expected to make a corresponding move at the conclusion of the All-Star break.

McCann is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Houston.

McCann will take a seat Sunday after starting seven of the last eight games. John Hicks will start behind the plate for the Tigers in the final game of the first half.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Gomes will head to the bench for the final game of the first half as Roberto Perez starts behind the plate for the Indians. The 30-year-old has a .247/.307/.437 slash line with 10 home runs in 68 games this season, which has earned him his first trip to the All-Star Game.

Diaz will start behind the plate and bat fourth Sunday against the Brewers.

Diaz has re-emerged as the Pirates' primary backstop after Francisco Cervelli (concussion) was placed on the 7-day disabled list Saturday. Considering it's the second time Cervelli has hit the DL this season due to a head injury, it's fair to assume he may not be ready to return when first eligible July 21. As the Pirates' willingness to deploy him as the cleanup hitter in the series finale might suggest, Diaz has been stellar at the plate this season, slashing .292/.339/.481 with seven home runs across 168 plate appearances. Fantasy owners may want to consider kicking the tires on the 27-year-old if their current catcher options aren't getting the job done.

Perez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in a win over the White Sox on Saturday.

Not long after the end of this one, Perez was named the American League's starting catcher for the All-Star Game due to Wilson Ramos' impending placement on the disabled list. His 13th blast of the year was the second in his last three starts, and he's riding a five-game hitting streak, though it's pushed him to an uninspiring .221/.259/.396 line through Saturday's action.

Hedges is not starting Saturday against the Cubs.

Hedges will sit despite grabbing three hits Friday. A.J. Ellis will get the start behind the plate instead.

Contreras is not in the lineup Saturday against the Padres.

Contreras is hitless in his last four games, though he's hit .340 with a .984 OPS in his last 15. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate in his place.

Sanchez (groin) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, Conor Foley of the Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

The plan calls for Sanchez to play seven innings Sunday and then remain with the affiliate as it travels to Toledo on a road trip. Sanchez has been gradually ramping up his activity in recent weeks and he cleared his final hurdle Thursday by successfully running the bases. It looks like he has a chance to be ready right away July 20.

Hedges went 3-for-5 with an RBI in a loss to the Cubs on Friday.

Hedges has provided an adequate amount of power (two homers) in 14 games since returning from the disabled list, but his .348 batting average (16-for-46) over that span has really been a pleasant surprise for his fantasy owners. The 25-year-old is still striking out 28 percent of the time during his current hot streak (33.6 percent overall), so don't expect his season batting average to improve far past its current .240 mark.