MLB Player News

Perez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Geovany Soto will spell Perez behind the plate for Wednesday. Perez has gotten off to a slow start this season, batting .194 with one RBI and one extra-base hit through his first nine games. Soto's presence behind the plate Wednesday may have more to do with the early afternoon start time of the game than Perez's slow offensive start, however. Perez figures to draw back into the lineup for Thursday's series finale.

Mesoraco is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, according to MLB.com's Jamie Ramsey.

Mesoraco will be held out of the lineup Wednesday for the second time in three games, but he remains the Reds' primary catcher, and is likely just getting the day off with the Reds playing a day game following a night game. Tucker Barnhart will get the start behind the plate in Mesoraco's place.

Perez homered, his second, as part of a 2-for-4 game with five RBI in Tuesday's win over Detroit.

Perez has a hit in five of his past six games and has raised his batting line from .208/.240/.375 to .256/.283/.512 in that span. Perez has never been an on-base machine (.305 OBP lifetime) and never will be, but his power stroke looks like it has officially shown up for 2016.

Nicholas is in the lineup and batting ninth for Tuesday's game against the Astros.

This will be his second straight start after Monday's game was postponed. The 27-year-old is 3-for-11 with one double and three runs scored through three games with the Rangers.

D'Arnaud (elbow) is back in the lineup Tuesday and will bat eighth in the order against the Phillies.

D'Arnaud will draw back in behind the plate Tuesday after a two-game absence due to a bruised elbow stemming from when he was hit by a pitch Saturday. Kevin Plawecki, who started in d'Arnaud's absence, will move back to the bench for Tuesday's contest. D'Arnaud will have the tough task of facing the red-hot Vincent Valasquez in his return to the lineup Tuesday. Velasquez is coming off complete game shutout with 16 strikeouts.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rays.

Vazquez started three of the first four games since being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket -- hitting .300 in that span -- so he appears to still be the team's preferred option behind the plate. He'll get a day off though Tuesday, as Ryan Hanigan will handle the catching duties and bat eighth.

Mesoraco is back in the lineup and batting sixth for Tuesday's game against the Rockies.

Mesoraco went 1-for-4 with one RBI and two strikeouts in his last start against the Cardinals on Sunday and will look to break out of his early-season slump against the Rockies.

D'Arnaud (elbow) remains out of the lineup Monday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Kevin Plawecki will make another start behind the plate, while d'Arnaud remains day-to-day for now.

Mesoraco is out of the lineup Monday against the Rockies.

Mesoraco started the previous two games for the Reds after returning from a leg injury, but he'll take the day off to give his leg some more rest. The 27-year-old managed to get a hit in both of those starts, but he has gotten off to a dreadful start at the plate, batting a mere .143. Tucker Barnhart will start behind the plate and bat seventh in his place.

Grandal went 2-for-2 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Giants.

The 27-year-old catcher is off the the best start of his career. In his previous three April's, Grandal has an average slash line of .223/.326/.357. So far this season, hit sits at .444/.583/.667 without a strike out to his name. It's important to note that the former first-rounder has only had 12 plate appearance (started season on DL), but the numbers are certainly an encouraging indicator that the youngster is improving.