MLB Player News

Thole struggled in his limited playing time during the first half of the season, hitting a measly .141 with just one extra-base hit in 78 at-bats.

The fact that Russell Martin was disgustingly awful for the first two-plus months of the season, and Thole still didn't receive extra playing time, tells you all you need to know about his fantasy value. If not for being knuckleballer R.A. Dickey's personal catcher, it's very unlikely that Thole would still be wearing a big league uniform with the way his season has gone.

Maile is expected to be called up Friday.

Maile is getting the call up to be replace Hank Conger who was sent down to the minors Monday. Although Maile will be behind Curt Casali on the depth chart, he figures to see one or two starts a week at catcher on days when Casali needs off. Maile has spent all of 2016 with Triple-A Durham where he's accumulated a .242/.310/.340 slash line over 58 games.

Realmuto went 1-for-5 with a run scored, an RBI and two steals in Sunday's win over the Reds.

He stole both second and third off rookie pitcher Cody Reed in his one trip around the bases, giving him nine steals on the season. Realmuto is enjoying life at the top of the Marlins' batting order, hitting .360/.377/.480 in 50 at-bats from the leadoff spot, so expect him to remain there after the All-Star break -- at least until Dee Gordon is back from his suspension -- and continue supplying excellent SB numbers for a catcher.

Rupp went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer, four RBI and a run in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Rockies.

The slugging backstop was a one-man wrecking crew Sunday, posting RBI singles in both the third and fifth frames before launching a 451-foot shot to center in the seventh that plated Cody Asche. Held out of the lineup Saturday after going 0-for-10 over the previous three games, Rupp returned with a vengeance to post his third multi-hit game of July. He's now matched the career-high nine homers he managed in 2015, and is well on pace to blow past the 28 RBI total from last season that also serves as his personal best in that category.

Grandal went 2-for-4 in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Padres, bringing his series average to .666 over the three games he played in.

The Dodgers backstop will miss Padres pitching, after raising his average 29 points over the three games he played in the series. Grandal's explosion began with a jaw-dropping 5-for-5, three-homer, six-RBI night on Friday, and he tallied three more hits-- all singles-- over seven additional at-bats in the two weekend tilts. The offensive breakout is a great sign heading into the All-Star break for the 27-year-old, who was under the Mendoza Line from May 21 until his aforementioned historic performance three games ago.

Thole went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Tigers.

He continues to get a start or two a week as R.A. Dickey's personal catcher, but Thole's .141/.239/.179 slash line on the season tells you all you need to know about his fantasy value.

Perez (thumb), who figures to be rehabbing for a few more weeks, may not be guaranteed a role with the Indians once he's back healthy, MLB.com reports.

Perez started the season as the Tribe's backup catcher but Chris Gimenez has become Trevor Bauer's personal catcher during Perez's injury and the Indians may be reluctant to break the duo up with Bauer performing so well.

Hedges finished off an amazing first half with Triple-A El Paso, going 3-5 with a double, two home runs and 8 RBI.

Hedges continues to tear up Triple-A, still awaiting a call back up to San Diego. With Derek Norris a potential option to be traded as the deadline nears, that time could come very soon. Even if Norris isn't traded, Hedges has shown that he has nothing left to prove at Triple-A. He ends the first half with 16 home runs and 53 RBI in only 141 at-bats.

Realmuto went 2-for-3 with a walk and scored three times in Saturday's victory over the Reds.

The young catcher continues to play the part of leadoff man, batting .319/.350/.430 over 279 at-bats this season. He's scored 33 runs, smacked five home runs and driven home 25 RBI on the year while also chipping in seven steals.

Perez will be held out of the lineup for Sunday's tilt with Seattle, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez will get the day off as Drew Butera makes a start behind the plate and bats ninth. Perez, who's made six consecutive starts coming into Sunday, is 5-for-10 with two homers, five runs and four RBI over the last three games.