MLB Player News

Realmuto slashed three singles and scored a run in Thursday's loss to the Braves.

The 25-year-old backstop continues to hold his own offensively, slashing .307/.336/.418 over 251 at-bats. He has just four home runs on the year, but that's coupled with 16 doubles and four steals as Realmuto provides steady production across the board. While he's clearly reaped the benefits of a .358 BABIP so far this season, Realmuto should continue to be an above average offensive producer at the catcher position.

Leon, who has hit .467 (14-for-30) since being called up to Boston, could force the Red Sox to demote Christian Vazquez to Triple-A when Ryan Hanigan (neck) is ready to return from the disabled list, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Leon has become an important piece for the Red Sox, having appeared in 12 of Boston's last 20 games -- his hot bat even making him a pinch-hitting option late in games. He's certainly out-hit Vazquez, who is batting .215 with a .559 OPS for the season. Coming off Tommy John elbow surgery Vazquez hasn't played up to his potential, so there's some benefit to letting him work his way back in a lower stress environment. He also has minor league options left while Leon doesn't. When Hanigan is ready to return, don't be surprised if Leon remains in Boston.

Barnes is back in the lineup for Triple-A Oklahoma City after testing negative for concussion symptoms that rose as a result of taking a couple foul balls off his mask during last Saturday's game, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

Barnes is in the lineup, but at second base, so the club seems to want to ease him back into catching. Barnes is batting .298/.396/.409 for Oklahoma City.

Gomes is not in Thursday's lineup against Toronto, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes has started four of the last five Indians' games and so will get the night off as Chris Gimenez makes a start behind the dish. Gomes, who's average dipped below .200 on May 1, has not found his stride since then, going 26-for-147 (.177) since then.

Perez (thumb) could head out on a rehab assignment over the weekend, MLB.com reports.

Perez has been sidelined since May 1 with a fractured thumb and saw limited action as the team's backup before the injury. Starter Yan Gomes is still struggling at the plate, which could yield a slight uptick in Perez's workload but he'll need to unseat Chris Gimenez, whose work with Trevor Bauer has the righty on a strong stretch of games (11 starts, 2.80 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 74 innings), first.

Thole went 2-for-4 with a walk Wednesday against the Rockies.

Thole made the most of his unusual spot-start for Russell Martin (rest). Typically, Thole only catches knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, but recently manager John Gibbons has decided to give the 33-year-old Martin rest more routinely. Entering Wednesday's game, Thole had amassed just two hits since April 26. Even if given the opportunity to play more often, Thole holds little to no value in most leagues.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Grandal will take a seat while A.J. Ellis gets the start for Wednesday night's matchup with Junior Guerra and the Brewers. The 27-year-old has been struggling lately, going 0-for-13 with four strikeouts in his last three games.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

After starting two straight and five of the last six games, d'Arnaud will take the night off in favor of Rene Rivera. D'Arnaud has struggled to put up anywhere near the .268/.340/.485 line that he did in 2015, as his batting average currently sits at a lowly .206 through 19 games played. If he can start to produce offensively it would bring a much-needed boost to the a Mets lineup that ranks 28th in the league with 3.61 runs scored per game.

Hedges had a huge day Tuesday, going 3-for-6 with two home runs, a single, and four RBI.

Hedges has been absolutely mashing in Triple-A El Paso, hitting .380/.427/780 with 11 homers in just 28 games. Tuesday's homer made it seven home runs in as many days for the 23-year-old catcher. Padres starting catcher Derek Norris has hit much better this past month, hitting .274 with five homers in June, but one wonders what more Hedges can do to deserve a call-up.

McCann is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Miami.

It seems like a routine day off for McCann with right-hander Tom Koehler taking the mound for the Marlins. Jarrod Saltalamacchia will step in behind the plate.