MLB Player News

Stephenson (thumb) is on the disabled list, J.J. Cooper of Baseball America reports.

Before the injury, Stephenson was having a good season with Low-A Dayton, slashing .278/.374/.414 with six home runs and 22 doubles. The Reds intended to keep him with Dayton most of the season, so the injury probably won't be what keeps him from advancing through the system at the moment, but the loss of at-bats is never good for development.

Vazquez will take a seat for Thursday's series finale against the Blue Jays, Evan Drellich of WEEI.com reports.

Vazquez gets a day off from his catching duties following three starts in the past four games, including an 0-for-3 night at the plate during Wednesday's victory. Sandy Leon will take over behind the plate in his stead.

Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox.

Grandal has just three hits in the past seven games, so he'll head to the bench for another night off. Austin Barnes will log another start behind the dish to replace him in the lineup.

Mesoraco (back) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Wednesday.

This turned out to be a much shorter DL stint than we've come to expect from the embattled backstop, as it lasted just two weeks. Despite the activation, Mesoraco will not be in the lineup Wednesday night, although the expectation is that he'll assume regular catching duties soon. Tucker Barnhart will likely assume catching duties when the Reds opt to rest Mesoraco.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Gomes will get the day off after starting the past two contests behind the plate. In his place, Roberto Perez will catch Carlos Carrasco for the series finale while batting seventh.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto went 0-for-6 in the first two games of the series, ending a nine-game hitting streak during which he batted .439. He'll hit the bench for the day game following the night game, affording A.J. Ellis a turn behind the plate.

Contreras is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Braves.

Contreras has been behind the dish for each of the Cubs' first five games out of the All-Star break, so manager Joe Maddon will give the young backstop a breather in the day game after a night game. Victor Caratini will catch for Cubs starter Mike Montgomery.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's win over the Braves.

That's now 13 home runs this season for the young catcher, and four already this month. Since July 1, Contreras is slashing .380/.436/.700, and he looks locked in as a strong fantasy option at catcher right now.

With Austin Hedges (concussion) being placed on the disabled list Tuesday, Sanchez will serve as the Padres' starting catcher in the interim.

Hedges was experiencing lingering concussion symptoms over the past few days, so the Padres decided to let their starting catcher mend on the 7-day concussion DL. This opens up a short-term window of playing time for Sanchez, who has thrived at the plate with three home runs over his previous three starts. Luis Torrens will spell the veteran backstop -- like he did Tuesday -- but Sanchez should see the majority of starts for however long Hedges remains sidelined, giving the switch-hitting catcher temporary value in two-catcher leagues.

Maldonado went 1-for-3 with his 10th home run of the season in Tuesday's loss to the Nationals.

The defensive-minded backstop is putting together his best offensive season as a major leaguer. The 30-year-old has already set a career high in homers with 10, and he is just three RBI away from doing the same in that category. Maldonado's .245 batting average and poor lineup placement holds him back in standard leagues, but he has done enough in terms of power to remain relevant in deep two-catcher formats.