Yasmani Grandal
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MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
Jun 4 2025Grandal is likely to be granted his release from the Red Sox in the coming days and is expected to retire from professional baseball, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal remained unsigned throughout the winter before catching on with the Red Sox on a minor-league deal in mid-April. He reported to Triple-A Worcester and was hopeful to eventually earn a look with the big club, but despite slashing a respectable .256/.372/.397 over 94 plate appearances, Grandal was bypassed for a promotion while the Red Sox were content to proceed with Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong as their two catchers. Worcester has placed the 36-year-old on its restricted list, so he won't count toward the roster until he's officially released. A two-time All-Star, Grandal spent parts of 13 seasons in the big leagues from 2012 through 2024 with the Padres, Dodgers, Brewers, White Sox and Pirates, slashing .236/.345/.424 with 194 home runs, 592 RBI and 535 runs.
Apr 10 2025Grandal signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal spent all of last year with the Pirates, where he slashed .228/.304/.400 with nine homers and 27 RBI across 243 plate appearances. The Red Sox are a bit short on catcher depth now that Connor Wong (finger) is on the IL, so they'll bring in Grandal to give them a bit more security behind the plate. The 36-year-old veteran will presumably report to Triple-A Worcester and may be able to earn a big-league spot with a hot start in the minors.
Sep 28 2024Grandal went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran catcher got the Pirates' offense going with a solo shot off Luis Gil in the second inning, one of five long balls by Pittsburgh on the afternoon. It's Grandal's first multi-hit performance since Aug. 21, and first three-hit effort since Aug. 4. On the season, the 35-year-old sports a .228/.304/.400 slash line with nine homers and 27 RBI in 215 plate appearances.
Sep 9 2024Grandal will start at catcher and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though he's included in the starting nine Monday, Grandal is expected to move into the No. 2 role at catcher after the Pirates reinstated top backstop Joey Bart from the injured list Friday. Grandal is slashing .333/.469/.569 since the beginning of August, but his .681 OPS on the season still lags well behind Bart's mark of .848.
Sep 6 2024Grandal went 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has started seven of 12 games behind the plate since Joey Bart (hamstring) went down, and he's enjoyed a productive two-week stretch. He has an eight-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 9-for-24 with a pair of homers, four RBI and six runs scored.
Sep 1 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will hit the bench for a second straight day as the Pirates give youngster Henry Davis another turn behind the dish. The two will likely be deployed in a fairly even timeshare behind the plate during the final month of the season.
Aug 31 2024Grandal isn't in Pittsburgh's lineup for Saturday's game versus Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has put together a nice six-game hitting streak, during which he's 7-for-20 with two homers, three RBI and five runs scored. However, he'll give way to Henry Davis behind the plate, who will bat ninth while catching for Luis Ortiz.
Aug 25 2024Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Sunday's 4-3 win over the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal came up to the plate with one out and a runner on first during the bottom of the ninth after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout to start the day. He delivered a two-run home run off Alexis Diaz, walking it off for the Pirates. The long ball was Grandal's third in his last five games, a stretch where he's 6-for-19 with three runs and four RBI.
Aug 5 2024Grandal went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored during Sunday's 6-5 loss to Arizona. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal delivered his first three-hit game of the season Sunday, and despite holding a poor .573 OPS through 154 plate appearances, the catcher has shown signs of improvement at the plate recently. Since the All-Star break, Grandal is 5-for-16 with two doubles, a home run and as many walks as he has strikeouts (two).
Jul 29 2024Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal got the Pirates on the board with a sixth-inning solo shot. He's hit two of his four homers in July, going 6-for-29 (.207) over 10 contests this month. The catcher has a poor .184/.221/.319 slash line with 18 RBI, 12 runs scored and one stolen base over 150 plate appearances. Barring a drastic improvement in performance, Grandal figures to remain in the backup catcher role behind Joey Bart.
Jul 11 2024Grandal went 1-for-4 with an RBI double during Thursday's 1-0 win over the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal broke the stalemate in the seventh inning, tagging Aaron Civale for a one-out double to score Jack Suwinski from first base. Grandal started Thursday's contest behind the dish after yielding to Joey Bart in each of the Pirates' previous three games. In 132 plate appearances, Grandal is slashing .184/.214/.304 with 22 strikeouts and only five walks.
Jul 8 2024Grandal is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has now taken a seat for three straight contests while Joey Bart has handled the catching duties. His first two absences from the lineup came against left-handers, but Grandal will hit the bench Monday against right-hander Christian Scott. Since coming off the injured list May 3 after missing the first month of the season while recovering from plantar fasciitis, Grandal has slashed just .182/.213/.298 over 128 plate appearances.
Jul 7 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will take a seat for the second day in a row while Joey Bart garners another start behind the dish. Though Grandal has been the Pirates' nominal No. 1 catcher when available this season, he's slashed a lowly .182/.213/.298 over 128 plate appearances on the campaign. In light of his struggles, Grandal could be falling into more of a timeshare with Bart.
Jul 5 2024Grandal went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two runs scored Friday against the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has provided very little offensive punch this season, and his solo home run in the eighth inning was his first long ball since May 13. It was also just his fourth multi-hit performance of the campaign. Despite his struggles, Grandal remains a fixture in the lineup, having started five of Pittsburgh's last seven games.
Jul 3 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will yield to Joey Bart behind the dish Wednesday. Grandal has logged merely three hits in his last 23 at-bats with two RBI and no runs.
Jun 30 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After starting behind the plate in five of the past six games, Grandal will get a breather in the series finale in Atlanta. The Pirates brought back Joey Bart (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Sunday and will put him to work right away, as he'll fill in at catcher while Grandal rests.
Jun 26 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather for the day game Wednesday after he started behind the dish in each of the Pirates' last three contests. Jason Delay will spell Grandal, forming a battery with starting pitcher Luis Ortiz.
Jun 22 2024Grandal isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will take a seat Saturday after going 0-for-1 and drawing two walks during Friday's loss in the series opener. Jason Delay will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.
Jun 18 2024Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has now started every other game across the last nine contests. It was initially Henry Davis (concussion) receiving the other starts, but with Davis sidelined, Jason Delay is doing the catching Tuesday.
Jun 16 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will rest for the Sunday afternoon game after he went 2-for-4 with an RBI while catching eight innings of Saturday's 16-4 loss. Jason Delay will step in for Grandal behind the plate.
Jun 14 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: For the third time in the last five games, Grandal will give way to Henry Davis behind the dish. Grandal is 2-for-21 (.095) in June, though Davis hasn't been much better this month, going 2-for-15 (.133) with nine strikeouts.
Jun 12 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will give way to Henry Davis behind the plate after catching in three of the Pirates' previous four games. Since returning to action May 3 after a season-opening stint on the injured list while he recovered from plantar fasciitis, Grandal has hit just .163 with two home runs, one stolen base, 12 RBI and six runs through his first 25 games with Pittsburgh.
Jun 9 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started the first two games of the series but will sit for the finale after going 0-for-6 with a walk and a strikeout. Henry Davis will take over behind the plate to catch for Jared Jones.
Jun 4 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal hasn't generated multiple hits in a game since May 17 and has two hits in his last 20 at-bats. Henry Davis will bat eighth and catch for Jared Jones.
Jun 2 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Toronto. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran will watch from the dugout as Grant Koch picks up the start at catcher. Grandal is slashing .182/.194/.318 with 11 RBI this season.
May 29 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal caught Jared Jones in the Pirates' 8-0 loss in the opening game of the day and went 1-for-3 with a single. He will yield the catching duties in the second game to Grant Koch, who will be making his first MLB start.
May 26 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran will cede catching duties to Joey Bart as the Pirates look for the series sweep. Grandal is slashing .196/.212/.373 with 10 RBI this season.
May 24 2024Grandal (groin) is catching and batting eighth Friday against Atlanta, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal missed a pair of games with soreness in his left groin but will return to the starting lineup Friday against lefty Ray Kerr. Grandal is batting .220 with two home runs in 13 games on the year.
May 23 2024Grandal (groin) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Giants, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will miss a second straight start after exiting Tuesday's 7-6 win with left groin soreness. Joey Bart will handle the catching duties in place of Grandal, who is considered day-to-day.
May 22 2024Grandal (groin) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was removed late in Tuesday's 7-6 win with left groin soreness. He has avoided the injured list for the time being, though the Pirates have added catcher Grant Koch to their taxi squad as protection in case the team needs to move another backstop onto the 26-man active roster. Joey Bart will handle the catching duties Wednesday in Grandal's stead.
May 21 2024Grandal was removed from Tuesday's game against the Giants due to left groin discomfort, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal doubled and came around to score during Pittsburgh's ninth-inning rally, but he was unable to come out to catch the top of the 10th frame. The severity of his injury isn't immediately apparent, but the Pirates should have more information on the veteran backstop's injury before the start of Wednesday's game.
May 19 2024Grandal went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The steal was Grandal's first -- and first attempt -- since 2022, and it was just his 13th career theft. The catcher is off to a middling start to his season after missing the first month-plus due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He's slashing .211/.231/.395 with two home runs, eight RBI, four runs scored and a double over 39 plate appearances while adding a 1:7 BB:K. Grandal is handling the starting job at catcher for the Pirates over Joey Bart.
May 18 2024Grandal isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather Saturday after going 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored during Friday's win. Joey Bart will replace the 35-year-old veteran behind the plate, batting seventh.
May 15 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will take a seat for the day game after he started behind the plate in both of the previous two nights, going 1-for-7 with a home run. Joey Bart will replace Grandal on Wednesday as the Pirates' starting catcher.
May 12 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal had started at catcher both of the past two days, so he's likely just sitting out Sunday for maintenance purposes as the Pirates and Cubs wrap up their series with an afternoon game. Joey Bart will replace Grandal behind the dish.
May 11 2024Grandal went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 10-9 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran catcher took Keegan Thompson deep in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Pirates back on top for good after the Cubs had struck for seven runs in the top of the frame. It was Grandal's first homer and first RBI in five games since making his season debut May 4, and he's gone 4-for-17 over that stretch as he settles into the starting job for Pittsburgh.
May 8 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather for the day game after he was behind the plate for all nine innings of Tuesday's 9-0 loss. Joey Bart will step in for Grandal as the Pirates' starting catcher.
May 6 2024Grandal is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After being activated from the 10-day injured list over the weekend, Grandal started behind the plate Saturday and Sunday against the Rockies, going 1-for-7 between those contests. Now that he's moved past the bout with plantar fasciitis that sidelined him from the first five weeks of the season, Grandal is expected to serve as the Pirates' No. 1 catcher, though backup Joey Bart should still factor into the equation if he continues to swing a hot bat. Bart will be behind the dish Monday while Grandal rests.
May 5 2024Grandal went 1-for-4 Saturday against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal made his first start since joining the Pirates this offseason, as he was sidelined by a foot injury for the first month of the campaign. He reached base in his first plate appearance on a single. Grandal is expected to serve as Pittsburgh's primary catcher, though he may be pushed for playing time by Joey Bart.
May 4 2024Grandal is starting at catcher and batting sixth in Saturday's game against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal missed all of spring training due to plantar fasciitis in his foot, and he began the season on the 10-day injured list. He played in nine rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a .257/.316/.400 line with one home run and 11 RBI over 38 plate appearances. Grandal was activated from the IL on Friday, and he's set to make his 2024 debut Saturday against Rockies southpaw Austin Gomber.
May 3 2024The Pirates activated Grandal (foot) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal got a late start to the season while battling plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but he participated in nine rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis and is feeling well enough to join the active roster. The veteran catcher is likely to share starts behind the dish with Joey Bart.
May 1 2024Grandal (foot) served as the designated hitter Tuesday and as the catcher Wednesday during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal's ability to play in back-to-back games was the original benchmark the Pirates set for his return from the injured list. However, the team has since shifted its stance and has noted that he still has some progress to make prior to being activated. Grandal should be in Pittsburgh soon, but the exact timeline remains murky.
Apr 29 2024Grandal (foot) has made six appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis during his rehab assignment, going 5-for-21 with one home run, two walks, two runs and six RBI. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Perhaps more important than his statistical production is the fact that Grandal has made five of his six starts behind the plate, a sign that he's feeling healthy after he was shut down in the spring due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Per Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com, general manager Ben Cherington noted that Grandal's upcoming return will force the Pirates to make a tough roster decision, as one of Henry Davis and Joey Bart will lose out on a spot. Given that Bart is out of options and has been performing better of the two backstops, Davis seems like the more logical choice to get demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for Grandal, even though Davis is seen as the Pirates' long-term answer behind the dish.
Apr 19 2024Grandal (foot) has started two games at catcher during his current rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has been dealing with a foot injury since early March and began a rehab assignment April 16. Since, he's started two games behind the plate while serving as the designated hitter in an additional contest. He has one hit across eight at-bats, though the Pirates are more likely concerned about his recovery continuing to progress.
Apr 16 2024Grandal (foot) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot since early March but is finally ready to test things out in a game setting. Henry Davis has struggled in the early going, so the Pirates seem likely to stick with their original plan of splitting catching duties between Davis and Grandal once the latter is ready.
Apr 9 2024Grandal (foot) will begin baserunning drills in the coming days, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has been participating in simulated games as he works his way back from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He wouldn't appear too far off from a rehab assignment if baserunning goes well, setting up the veteran catcher to potentially return before the end of April.
Apr 3 2024Manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Grandal (foot) just started a running progression and is "a ways away" from being game ready, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Progress has been slow since Grandal was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in early March, but the start of a running progression is an encouraging development. Still, the Pirates clearly don't expect the 35-year-old to be available anytime in the near future. The club traded for Joey Bart on Tuesday to boost its catching depth.
Mar 28 2024The Pirates placed Grandal (foot) on the 10-day injured list Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal hasn't yet resumed running since experiencing plantar fasciitis in his left foot earlier this month, but once he's able to do so, he should be ready to head out on a rehab assignment. Manager Derek Shelton suggested early in spring training that Grandal would begin camp atop the depth chart at catcher, but the skipper's comments came before the 35-year-old was slowed by the foot injury. With that in mind, Grandal may not be guaranteed the No. 1 catching gig once he's activated from the IL, especially if Henry Davis gets off to a hot start to the season.
Mar 25 2024Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Grandal (foot) could be cleared to begin running early next week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has done advanced plyometric work as he rehabs from plantar fasciitis in his foot. He will begin the season on the injured list, which means Henry Davis will head into Opening Day atop the Pirates' catching depth chart.
Mar 21 2024Grandal (foot) won't be cleared to run until at least next week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He's able to do some other baseball activities, but Grandal's plantar fasciitis is still preventing him from running. Given that Opening Day is just a week away and he has just three Grapefruit League plate appearances under his belt, Grandal could very well be looking at a trip to the injured list. Henry Davis is poised for the lion's share of catching duties while Grandal is out.
Mar 13 2024Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Grandal (foot) is able to hit and catch but is unable to run yet, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is battling plantar fasciitis and hasn't caught in a Grapefruit League game in a couple weeks. Manager Derek Shelton had said this past weekend that he expected the 35-year-old to be ready for games soon, but it's uncertain when that might happen. Grandal's foot issue could just come down to a matter of pain tolerance, though a stint on the injured list to begin the season can't be ruled out at this stage.
Mar 9 2024Grandal is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal hasn't caught a spring training game since the end of February due to his foot, but manager Derek Shelton said he expects Grandal to resume playing in games soon. The 35-year-old will operate as Pittsburgh's starting catcher during the regular season, but Shelton has stated that Grandal's workload will be limited due to his age.
Feb 29 2024Pirates manager Derek Shelton indicated Thursday that Grandal resides at the top of the catching depth chart but will need to have his workload limited, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: While it sounds like Shelton technically views Grandal as the starting catcher, he noted that Grandal is 35 years old and catching 100 games this season is "not going to happen." Shelton also indicated that the No. 2 catcher role is undecided, but whoever wins the job is "going to be in tandem a little bit" with the veteran. Grandal finished with just a .234/.309/.339 slash line over 405 plate appearances with the White Sox last season and doesn't make for a very appealing fantasy option.
Feb 11 2024Grandal and the Pirates agreed Sunday on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal can earn more with the incentives in the contract. He will join the Pirates after spending the last four seasons with the White Sox. The catcher lost playing time down the stretch last year and ended up settling behind Korey Lee on the depth chart. The 35-year-old Granda had a .489 OPS over 102 plate appearances in the final two months of the campaign. With Henry Davis entering spring as Pittsburgh's primary catcher, Grandal will look to fill a backup role.
Sep 18 2023Grandal will start at catcher and bat seventh in Monday's game in Washington, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was on the bench for each of the White Sox's last four games but will pick up a start Monday while top backstop Korey Lee gets a breather. Though Lee is off to a 3-for-46 (.065 average) start to his time with the White Sox, he could still get the bulk of the starts at catcher over Grandal for the final two weeks of the season while the non-contending club plays out the string.
Aug 27 2023Grandal will start at catcher and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though he's back in the lineup for the series finale, Grandal was on the bench for each of the previous four games and appears to have moved into a reserve role while the White Sox prioritize younger players down the stretch. Korey Lee is sitting out Sunday but appears set to operate as Chicago's top backstop heading into September.
Aug 23 2023Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Carlos Perez will step in behind the dish while Grandal retreats to the bench for a day game after a night game. Grandal had been included in the lineup at either catcher or designated hitter in each of the last seven contests, going 4-for-25 with two walks, two runs and no RBI.
Aug 13 2023Grandal isn't in the White Sox's lineup Sunday against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After going 0-for-7 across the first two games of the series, Grandal will take a seat for Sunday's finale. Carlos Perez will start behind the dish and bat eighth.
Aug 9 2023Grandal (knee) will start at catcher and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was lifted after five innings in Tuesday's 7-1 loss due to a sore left knee, but the injury won't be significant enough to keep him on the bench for the series finale. The veteran backstop will take a .683 OPS -- the second-lowest mark of his career -- into Wednesday's contest.
Aug 8 2023Grandal was removed from Tuesday's game against the Yankees with left knee soreness. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal previously missed time in June due to soreness in his right knee, and now his left knee is giving him problems as well. He's officially listed as day-to-day, suggesting the injury may not be too severe. However, more information will likely come after Tuesday's game.
Aug 6 2023Grandal will start at catcher and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Guardians, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After sitting out a stretch of three straight games from last Sunday through Wednesday, Grandal has now picked up starts behind the plate in four straight contests. Though Grandal is holding down an unremarkable .688 OPS for the season, the White Sox still appear to be viewing him as a superior option at catcher than Seby Zavala.
Aug 2 2023Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal hasn't drawn a start since Saturday, though he came off the bench Tuesday and there's no word of any new physical issue. Seby Zavala will catch again and bat ninth Wednesday versus Texas.
Jul 30 2023Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has a .250/.318/.425 slash line since the All-Star break and will sit Sunday for the second time in Chicago's past three games. Seby Zavala will receive another start behind the plate and bat ninth.
Jul 28 2023Grandal isn't in the White Sox's lineup Friday against Cleveland, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After going 1-for-4 with a run scored during Thursday's loss to the Guardians, Grandal will take a seat to begin Friday's contest. Seby Zavala will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.
Jul 26 2023Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather after he had started each of the last eight games at either designated hitter, first base or catcher. Now that the White Sox have all of their key position players healthy, Grandal's opportunities at DH and first base will likely become more scarce moving forward, though he should continue to play ahead of Seby Zavala at catcher.
Jul 22 2023Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk Friday against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal began losing playing time to Seby Zavala in early July, but he has now started six of the team's last seven games. Three of those came at designated hitter with Eloy Jimenez sidelined, but Grandal has started consecutive games at catcher since Jimenez has returned. He's homered twice in 20 at-bats across his last six games, though he is striking out at a 34.8 percent clip.
Jul 19 2023Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks, three RBI and three runs scored Tuesday against the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has lost out on playing time to Seby Zavala behind the plate since early July, though he's started three of the last four games thanks to the absence of Eloy Jimenez (groin). While he contributed to a furious White Sox rally Tuesday with his seventh homer of the season, Grandal figures to shift back to limited playing time upon Jimenez's return -- anticipated in the coming days.
Jul 9 2023Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is on the bench for the second straight day and for the fifth time in seven games, perhaps signaling that there's been a changing of the guard atop the depth chart at catcher. Seby Zavala will pick up another turn behind the dish in place of Grandal, who has turned in an underwhelming .594 OPS since the beginning of June and has also taken a step back defensively in 2023.
Jul 8 2023Grandal will sit Saturday against St. Louis. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal finds himself on the bench for the fourth time in six games. He's been in a slump recently, slasing .174/.255/.239 across his last 17 games. Seby Zavala will get the start behind the plate.
Jul 6 2023Grandal is not in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the first game while playing behind the plate. He'll give way to Seby Zavala, who is hitting ninth in the order.
Jul 4 2023Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It looks to be a routine day off for the veteran catcher. Seby Zavala will catch Lucas Giolito while Grandal gets some rest.
Jul 2 2023Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Oakland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started the last three games and will take a seat after he went 3-for-13 with two walks, two RBI and two runs. Seby Zavala will work behind the plate Sunday.
Jun 28 2023Grandal isn't in the White Sox's lineup Wednesday against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is 3-for-9 with a home run over his last four games and will receive a day off Wednesday. Seby Zavala will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.
Jun 26 2023Grandal is not in the lineup Monday against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Seby Zavala will catch and bat ninth. This looks to be a routine day off for Grandal, who missed some time last week with a sore right knee but started behind the plate both Saturday and Sunday versus Boston.
Jun 24 2023Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal missed the White Sox's last two games with right knee soreness, though he returned and homered in his first at-bat. It was his sixth long ball of the campaign and third in his last 23 games. While he's well off pace of the peaks in his career, Grandal has already surpassed his homer total for the entirety of the 2022 campaign.
Jun 23 2023Grandal (knee) is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will miss a second straight game Friday as he nurses a sore right knee. Seby Zavala will enter the lineup at catcher and bat ninth in the series opener with Boston.
Jun 21 2023Grandal was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to right knee soreness. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is out of Wednesday's contest but is officially listed as day-to-day, so his injury is likely nothing too severe. The White Sox have an off day Thursday, so Grandal will benefit from an extra day of rest before potentially returning Friday against Boston.
Jun 17 2023Grandal will sit Saturday against Seattle. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal grabbed five hits across the last two games against the Dodgers, but his reward has been to sit for the first two games against the Mariners. Seby Zavala remains the starter behind the plate.
Jun 16 2023Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went 5-for-10 in the final two games of Chicago's previous series against the Dodgers, but he'll grab some rest Friday night in Seattle. Seby Zavala is starting at catcher and bating ninth for the White Sox.
Jun 14 2023Grandal went 3-for-5 with a double in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has gone 8-for-29 (.276) in June despite hitting safely in just four of nine contests. The catcher remains the White Sox's top option behind the dish with a steady .268/.328/.410 slash line, five home runs, 18 RBI and 15 runs scored over 201 plate appearances. Grandal has a career-worst 7.5 percent walk rate, but it's not holding him back much in 2023.
Jun 11 2023Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather for the series finale. Seby Zavala will catch Lucas Giolito and hit ninth in Grandal's stead.
Jun 9 2023Grandal went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in Friday's win over Miami. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal's second-inning home run opened the game's scoring and was his first long ball since May 23. In nine games since between then and Friday, he was stuck in a 4-for-31 (.129) rut. The veteran catcher is now slashing .263/.330/.404 with 14 extra-base hits and 17 RBI through 188 plate appearances.
Jun 8 2023Grandal is not in the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It will be the second straight game on the bench for Grandal, although he will surely catch during the nightcap. Seby Zavala will be behind the plate for the matinee.
Jun 7 2023Grandal is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Seby Zavala will catch and bat ninth after slugging two home runs and tallying three total RBI to help the White Sox win 3-2 over the Yankees on Tuesday. It seems like a case of manager Pedro Grifol simply riding the hot hand, as Grandal has far out-hit Zavala over the course of the year.
May 30 2023Grandal isn't in the White Sox's lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is battling through an 0-for-10 stretch at the plate in his last three games, and he holds just a .549 OPS over the last two weeks. The White Sox will instead give Seby Zavala a shot behind the plate Tuesday, who will bat ninth.
May 29 2023Grandal is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt versus the Angels, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal had started the last three contests but will start this one on the bench. Seby Zavala will catch Michael Kopech.
May 24 2023Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather for a day game Wednesday after he started behind the plate in each of the White Sox's previous three contests. Seby Zavala will form a battery with starting pitcher Michael Kopech in the series finale.
May 21 2023Grandal (hamstring) is hitting fifth and catching against the Royals on Sunday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal returns to the lineup after missing the last two games while resting his hamstring. The switch-hitting backstop will handle catching duties, so Seby Zavala retreats to the bench for Sunday's finale.
May 20 2023Grandal (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus Kansas City. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: As expected, Grandal will remain on the bench Saturday as he tends to his ailing hamstring. Seby Zavala will draw another start behind the plate and bat ninth against the Royals.
May 19 2023Grandal (hamstring) isn't starting Friday against the Royals and probably won't catch Saturday either, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said the team wanted to give Grandal time to rest his hamstring, which has been giving him problems over the past week. The veteran backstop is available to pinch hit, but Seby Zavala will start behind the dish until Grandal is fully recovered.
May 18 2023Grandal (hamstring) is in the White Sox' lineup for Thursday's game versus the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal wasn't expected to play Thursday after his hamstring issue flared up Wednesday, but he's talked his way into the lineup at designated hitter. He'll bat fifth against Logan Allen.
May 17 2023White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Wednesday that Grandal aggravated his right hamstring injury, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grifol added that the 34-year-old backstop likely won't be in Thursday's lineup against Cleveland. Grandal is officially day-to-day, but there's a chance the team opts to place him on the injured list if his hamstring problems persist.
May 16 2023Grandal (hamstring) is starting Tuesday against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Right hamstring tightness has kept Grandal out of Chicago's lineup for the past three games, but he's now ready to resume catching duties after a few days of rest. The 34-year-old backstop was slashing .296/.333/.353 in his last five games prior to injury.
May 14 2023Grandal (hamstring) is out of the lineup against the Astros on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will miss another game Sunday while recovering from tightness in his hamstring. According to Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com, the veteran backstop should be available off the bench and is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday against Cleveland. Seby Zavala will handle catching duties in the series finale versus Houston.
May 13 2023White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters that Grandal (hamstring) could return to the lineup Sunday against the Astros after being scratched from the lineup Saturday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: "Better to be safe, yeah," Grifol said. "Especially with the off-day on Monday. We'll reassess it tomorrow. If he can play [Sunday], I might put him in there. If not we'll give him the extra 48 hours so he can be ready to go on Tuesday." Grandal hurt his hamstring Thursday and sat out Friday's contest, and while he was originally in the lineup Saturday against Houston, the White Sox have decided to take precaution with the late scratch. There's a very good chance he won't be back in the lineup for Sunday's contest, either.
May 12 2023Grandal (hamstring) isn't starting Friday against the Astros, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was removed from Thursday's game against the Royals due to hamstring tightness, but the injury isn't expected to be particularly serious. He'll be out of the lineup for at least one game, as Seby Zavala will start behind the plate and bat seventh during Friday's series opener.
May 11 2023Manager Pedro Grifol said he expects Grandal (hamstring) to be "alright," James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal exited Thursday's game against the Royals with hamstring tightness. While the team was still waiting on a full medical report, initial reports suggest he will be in for a quick return.
May 7 2023Grandal will serve as the White Sox's designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Sunday's game against the Reds and may not catch for the next few days while he works through a minor back spasm, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Fortunately for Grandal, the White Sox have a regular spot available at DH after Eloy Jimenez (appendectomy) landed on the injured list Sunday, so the 34-year-old isn't expected to miss out on any starts on account of the back issue. Seby Zavala will serve as the White Sox's primary backstop until Grandal feels physically ready to resume duties behind the plate.
May 1 2023Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in Sunday's 12-9 victory over the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal sent a blast to straightaway center in the sixth inning to put the White Sox back in front 3-2. He also reached after being hit by a pitch and later scored as part of a seven-run ninth inning. It was his third long ball of the year, and he's well on his way to surpassing last year's total after only managing five home runs. The 34-year-old is now slashing .241/.323/.446 with 11 extra base hits, nine RBI, eight runs, and an 8:22 BB:K over 93 plate appearances.
Apr 28 2023Grandal is not in the White Sox' lineup for Friday's game versus the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal returned to action Thursday after missing one game with a back issue, although it's not clear whether his absence Friday is injury-related. Seby Zavala will catch Lucas Giolito.
Apr 27 2023Grandal (back) is starting behind the plate for the White Sox in Thursday's game against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal missed Wednesday's game with back spasms, but it wound up being just a one-day absence. The veteran catcher will bat fifth against Rays southpaw Shane McClanahan.
Apr 6 2023Grandal is not in the White Sox' lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get some rest after catching three straight and five of the first six games this season. Seby Zavala will catch Lance Lynn.
Apr 1 2023Grandal will head to the bench for Saturday's game against Houston. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went 2-for-8 with a home run in the first two games of the year, but it's no surprise that the veteran catcher isn't being asked to crouch for three straight days this early in the year. Seby Zavala takes over behind the plate, catching for Lucas Giolito.
Mar 30 2023Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The White Sox were unable to get on the scoreboard through seven innings before Grandal broke through with a 401-foot solo shot off Rafael Montero in the eighth. The veteran backstop experienced a dramatic decline in power last season with just five homers in 376 plate appearances, so this was a promising start to the campaign. Grandal's fantasy stock has fallen dramatically due to his struggles in 2022, but it's worth remembering that he hit at least 22 long balls each campaign (aside from the shortened 2020 season) from 2016 to 2021.
Mar 18 2023Grandal has a .911 OPS across 30 plate appearances during Cactus League action. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is coming off a disastrous 2022 season, during which he hit just .202/.301/.269 across 376 plate appearances. While it's difficult to make the case for a 34-year-old catcher to bounce back, Grandal has had a promising spring performance that is highlighted by three doubles and a home run. He should head into the season as Chicago's starting backstop.
Feb 17 2023White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Friday that he wants Grandal to primarily focus on catching this year, per Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was limited to DH duties for stretches of time last season due to back and knee injuries, but he entered camp this spring at full health and the hope is that he can be a semi-everyday presence behind the plate throughout the 2023 campaign. "I haven't really thought about him as a DH," said Grifol. "That doesn't mean he's not going to. But he's our catcher."
Oct 5 2022Grandal isn't starting Wednesday against the Twins, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went 1-for-4 with a run Tuesday against Minnesota and will head to the bench for the fourth time in the last six games. Carlos Perez will start behind the plate and bat ninth.
Oct 3 2022Grandal isn't in the lineup Monday against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal's playing time has decreased recently, and he'll be on the bench for the third time in the last four games. Carlos Perez is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.
Sep 30 2022Grandal will hit the bench Friday against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The White Sox are no longer in playoff contention and could rest their veterans frequently over the final few games of the season. Carlos Perez will take over behind the plate Friday.
Sep 20 2022Grandal is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Guardians, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is hitting .205 with two home runs in 13 games this month. Seby Zavala will start behind the dish and hit eighth.
Sep 18 2022Grandal is not in Sunday's lineup against the Tigers, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is hitting .205 with two home runs in 13 games this month. Seby Zavala is starting behind the dish and hitting eighth.
Sep 15 2022Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Thursday against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went deep in the fourth inning to tally his fifth home run of the season. Two of those long balls have come in his last nine starts, during which time he's also hit .250 with five RBI and four runs scored. However, that's hardly enough to cover up his disappointing .207/.309/.281 line across 330 plate appearances on the season.
Sep 14 2022Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is getting a breather for the day game after catching each of the White Sox's last three contests. Seby Zavala will start behind the plate, forming a battery with Dylan Cease.
Sep 10 2022Grandal (back) is starting Saturday against the Athletics, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was out of the lineup for the last three games, and the team revealed Friday that he was dealing with back tightness. However, he'll start behind the dish and bat eighth Saturday.
Sep 9 2022Grandal was held out of Friday's lineup with back tightness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has not started for a few days, and the injury presumably has something to do with that. He will be available off the bench Friday, so his absence may not extend much further. However, it's not yet clear when he will be ready for a full nine innings.
Sep 8 2022Grandal isn't starting Thursday against Oakland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went 1-for-10 with a walk and four strikeouts over his last three games and will head to the bench for a second consecutive matchup. Seby Zavala is starting at catcher and batting eighth.
Sep 7 2022Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather after he caught in six of the White Sox's seven games since he returned from the injured list a week ago. Seby Zavala will check in behind the dish for Grandal.
Sep 3 2022Grandal isn't starting Friday against Minnesota. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was back in action over the last three games and went 3-for-10 with a home run, a double, three runs, two RBI, two walks and a strikeout. He'll get a chance to rest while Seby Zavala starts behind the dish and bats eighth.
Sep 2 2022Grandal went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's 3-2 win over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal supplied an RBI single and scored in the fourth inning, then added a game-tying solo shot in the eighth. This was the catcher's third game back from a knee injury -- he's gone 3-for-10 with two walks since his return. The 33-year-old is slashing .207/.311/.276 with four homers, 23 RBI, 12 runs scored and a stolen base through 302 plate appearances this season, and he should continue to serve as the White Sox's primary catcher when healthy.
Aug 31 2022Grandal went 0-for-2 with two walks in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal missed 10 days on the injured list with a knee injury, and he was able to play nine innings behind the dish Wednesday. He should resume the No. 1 catcher role now that he's healthy, though Thursday's series finale is an afternoon game, meaning he'll likely start that contest on the bench. For the year, Grandal's slashing .202/.310/.257 with three home runs, 21 RBI, nine runs scored and a stolen base through 75 contests.
Aug 30 2022Manager Tony La Russa said Grandal (knee) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 33-year-old reported to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday and will rejoin the White Sox after going 5-for-11 with two walks, a home run, a double and four RBI in three rehab games. With Eloy Jimenez mostly being limited to designated-hitter duties, Grandal is likely to see most of his time behind the plate rather than splitting time between catcher and designated hitter.
Aug 25 2022Grandal (knee) will report to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday to begin a rehab assignment, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 33-year-old landed on the injured list last Sunday with a left knee strain, but he was cleared of any structural damage and was quickly able to resume baseball activities. Grandal could be reinstated from the injured list when first eligible next week.
Aug 22 2022White Sox manager Tony La Russa said that Grandal (knee) was able to take some swings in the batting cage Monday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday after suffering what initially appeared to be a significant injury in Saturday's win over the Guardians, but the 33-year-old already looks to be making tremendous strides in his recovery just a couple days later. Taking swings in the cage likely presents fewer complications for Grandal compared to running the bases and playing catcher, but the fact that he hasn't been shut down from activity at least bodes well for him making a quick return from the IL. The White Sox are currently expecting Grandal to be sidelined for around 10-to-14 days with the left knee strain.
Aug 21 2022Grandal is expected to return from the 10-day injured list in 10-to-14 days after an MRI on Sunday revealed no acute damage to the ligaments, tendons or cartilage around the catcher's strained left knee. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The White Sox had reason to fear that Grandal may have suffered a season-ending injury in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Guardians after he was spotted on crutches following a home-plate collision, but the veteran backstop is facing a more favorable prognosis than expected after getting sent in for additional testing. According to the team, Grandal is still dealing with inflammation caused by a hyperextension of the knee, so he'll at least need some time off for the swelling to subside. Seby Zavala is expected to serve as the White Sox's primary catcher for the duration of Grandal's stay on the 10-day injured list.
Aug 20 2022Grandal exited Saturday's game against the Guardians with left knee discomfort. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was trying to avoid a tag at home plate but fell awkwardly as a result. He was unable to walk off the field under his own power, so there is potential for a long-term absence. There should be an official diagnosis available Sunday, but Grandal is still being evaluated for the time being.
Aug 18 2022Grandal is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will be getting a breather after he started each of the past three games -- two at catcher and one as a designated hitter -- while going 2-for-9 with two walks. Though Grandal remains the White Sox's top option behind the plate, his grip on the No. 1 role has loosened while he's submitted a disappointing .565 OPS over 283 plate appearances on the season in addition to missing time due to injury. Seby Zavala will catch for starting pitcher Lucas Giolito on Thursday.
Aug 14 2022Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started the past five games and will take a seat Sunday after going 5-for-16 with a home run, two RBI, two runs and four walks during that stretch. Seby Zavala will work behind the plate and bat eighth in the series finale versus Detroit.
Aug 12 2022Grandal went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run Thursday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal took Jose Cuas yard in the eighth inning to tally his third homer of the season. It was his first long ball since May 16, and he has only four extra-base hits -- including Thursday's effort -- across 123 at-bats in that span. That has led to a disappointing .204/.300/.265 line for Grandal across 263 plate appearances on the season.
Aug 9 2022Grandal is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather for the second game in a row Tuesday. The catcher has produced a .222 average with two doubles, four RBI and a run over 45 at-bats in 12 games since returning from the 10-day injured list July 22. Seby Zavala will start behind the plate and bat ninth in the series opener, while we'll assume Grandal will take over in the nightcap.
Aug 7 2022Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will take a seat for the series finale after he started in each of the White Sox's last three games, two at catcher and one as a designated hitter. Seby Zavala will get the nod behind the plate Sunday while Jose Abreu handles DH duties.
Aug 3 2022Grandal isn't starting Wednesday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started the last two games and went 0-for-8 with two strikeouts. Seby Zavala will take over behind the plate and bat ninth Wednesday.
Jul 31 2022Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went 4-for-16 with two RBI while starting each of the White Sox's past four games as either a designated hitter or catcher. Jose Abreu will handle DH duties in the series finale with Oakland, while Seby Zavala gets the nod behind the plate.
Jul 26 2022Grandal went 3-for-4 in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal's three hits were all singles, and he was the only White Sox batter to record multiple hits in the game. This was the catcher's second three-hit effort in his last three games. The sudden uptick in hitting has his batting average at a season-high .207 with a .564 OPS, two home runs, 17 RBI and six runs scored through 217 plate appearances.
Jul 24 2022Grandal is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a day off after he went 4-for-7 with an RBI and walk while starting both games of Saturday's doubleheader. Seby Zavala will start at catcher and bat seventh in the series finale.
Jul 23 2022Grandal went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the Game 1 loss to the Guardians in Saturday's doubleheader. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal ripped an RBI single off Triston McKenzie in the bottom of the fourth inning, accounting for the only run the White Sox scored against him. The catcher later notched two more singles in the contest. Grandal just returned from the 10-day injured list Friday, but he'll look to turn Saturday's performance into a trend. Overall, the 33-year-old is batting .193 on the season, but he's produced a much better .324 average in 34 at-bats over the last two months.
Jul 22 2022Grandal (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is in the starting lineup Friday versus the Guardians, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After missing over a month with lower-back spasms, Grandal is starting behind the plate and batting fifth against Cleveland. The 33-year-old has produced a career-worst .185 batting average overt 173 at-bats this season, but he went 9-for-25 (.360) with two long balls, five RBI, five runs and 13 walks over a nine-game rehab assignment with Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.
Jul 18 2022Grandal (back) went 0-for-2 with three walks Sunday in his rehab game with Triple-A Charlotte. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal drew starts at either first base or catcher over his last three games with Charlotte and looks like he'll be ready to return from the 10-day injured list to step back in as the White Sox's No. 1 catcher when the big club opens its second-half schedule Friday against the Guardians. The 33-year-old, who has been on the shelf since June 13 with lower-back spasms, began his rehab assignment July 7. Between stops with Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham, Grandal appeared in nine games and went 9-for-25 with two home runs and an impressive 13:4 BB:K.
Jul 12 2022Grandal (back) will shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will move one step closer to returning from the 10-day injured list as he joins Charlotte for the conclusion of his rehab assignment. The 33-year-old has been out since early June and is expected to return to the big leagues following the All-Star break.
Jul 9 2022Grandal (back) went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run with two walks in a rehab appearance with Double-A Birmingham on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was in the lineup for the second consecutive game with Birmingham, and he served as the designated hitter on each occasion. He's gone 3-for-6 with four walks in his two starts, but he is still expected to remain on his rehab assignment through the All-Star break.
Jul 5 2022Grandal (lower back) said that he'll begin a minor-league rehab assignment at Double-A Birmingham on Wednesday, but he doesn't expect to be activated from the 10-day injured list until after the All-Star break, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal intimated that the White Sox plan to send him on an extended rehab assignment while he looks to regain conditioning in addition to his timing at the plate after being sidelined for the past three weeks with lower-back spasms. He's expected to make most of his initial rehab starts as a designated hitter and is likely to stick around at Birmingham through the weekend. After that, Grandal is then expected to shift his rehab to Triple-A Charlotte at the beginning of next week, when he'll presumably pick up starts behind the plate and at first base. Before the back injury cropped up, Grandal had endured a tough start to the 2022 campaign; he's sitting on a .185/.294/.237 slash line with just two home runs and one stolen base in 201 plate appearances.
Jun 28 2022Grandal (back) is taking swings off a tee but has yet to start running, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal still has no timetable as he is experiencing at least some discomfort in his back. He'll likely be able to begin a rehab assignment shortly after he is cleared to run, but it remains unclear when that may occur. As a result, Grandal's absence could stretch into mid-July.
Jun 21 2022Grandal (back) progressed substantially over the weekend, but he is expected to go on a rehab assignment prior to being activated from the injured list, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal stayed in Chicago for the team's weekend series at Houston to receive treatment. General manager Rick Hahn was positive when speaking about the progress Grandal made in that span, implying that Grandal would be reevaluated in the middle of this week with the potential of resuming batting practice as well as playing in sim games. Hahn also made clear that he prefers Grandal to complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated. That likely puts Grandal's return in early July at the earliest.
Jun 13 2022Grandal was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back spasms Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal sustained a left hamstring injury while running to first base Saturday against the Rangers, and he developed a back issue Sunday night. He was moving around well and feeling better Monday afternoon but will still require an IL stint. Reese McGuire is starting behind the dish and batting eighth Monday against the Tigers, and he should serve as the White Sox's primary catcher in Grandal's absence.
Jun 11 2022Grandal (hamstring) won't be available Sunday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal left Saturday's game against the Rangers after injuring his left hamstring while running to first base. It's not yet clear whether he'll require a trip to the injured list, but the White Sox are expected to add a catcher to the active roster Sunday to avoid going into the series finale with only Reese McGuire available behind the plate.
Jun 7 2022Grandal isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started in the last four games and went 2-for-13 with two RBI, three walks and five strikeouts. Reese McGuire will start behind the dish and bat eighth Tuesday.
Jun 6 2022Grandal went 1-for-4 with a walk and two RBI on Sunday against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has shown very few signs of breaking out of a season-long slump, and his RBI on Sunday was his first in his last nine starts. In that span, he had collected just two hits in 33 at-bats. Overall, Grandal is hitting .163/.274/.213 across 186 plate appearances.
Jun 1 2022Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Even though Grandal served as the White Sox's designated hitter the past two games rather than starting behind the plate, he'll still receive a maintenance day Wednesday. Grandal's move to the bench may also have something to do with his ongoing slump at the plate; over his last six games, he's gone 1-for-24 with 11 strikeouts and four walks.
May 25 2022Grandal isn't starting Wednesday against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a chance to reset after he went 0-for-9 with five strikeouts over the last two games. Reese McGuire is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.
May 19 2022Grandal isn't starting Thursday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started in the last four games and went 4-for-16 with a homer, two RBI, a walk and two strikeouts. Reese McGuire will start behind the dish and bat eighth during Thursday's series finale.
May 16 2022Grandal went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run Monday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal slugged his second home run of the season in the fourth inning against Brad Keller. It was his first time going yard since April 9 and only his fourth extra-base hit of the campaign. Grandal has maintained a disastrous .176/.292/.255 line across 120 plate appearances, though his 18.3 percent strikeout rate provides some hope that his production will pick up.
May 15 2022Grandal is not in Sunday's lineup against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He has yet to get going at the dish this season and is hitting .162 with a .354 OBP and zero home runs in 11 games this month. Reese McGuire will start at catcher and hit eighth.
May 13 2022Grandal isn't starting Friday against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has gone just 1-for-11 with two runs, three walks and five strikeouts over the last three games, and he'll get his first day off since April 22. Reese McGuire will start behind the plate and bat ninth.
May 11 2022Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: While moving between catcher, designated hitter and first base, Grandal has started each of Chicago's last 16 games, slashing .208/.373/.245 over that stretch. He'll get a much-needed breather in the series finale while Reese McGuire catches, Gavin Sheets mans first base and Jose Abreu handles DH duties.
May 8 2022Grandal went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base during Sunday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 33-year-old played at first base Sunday and reached three times in four plate appearances, and he also stole second base after walking during the eighth inning. It's the first stolen base since 2019 for Grandal, so he shouldn't be expected to run much more this year, if at all. The multi-hit game was Grandal's first of the campaign and will perhaps get his bat going after a slow start.
Apr 22 2022Grandal isn't starting Friday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a chance to reset after he went just 1-for-21 with two RBI, a walk and five strikeouts in his last six appearances. Reese McGuire will start behind the dish and bat eighth.
Apr 14 2022Grandal isn't starting Thursday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went 2-for-8 with a strikeout in his last two appearances, and he'll get a breather for the second time in the last four games. Reese McGuire will draw the start behind the dish and bat seventh.
Apr 10 2022Grandal is not in Sunday's lineup against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: As expected, Grandal started each of the team's first two games at catcher. He'll draw his first day of rest Sunday, with Reese McGuire taking over behind the dish and hitting eighth.
Apr 9 2022Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in the 5-2 win over the Tigers on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The catcher took Casey Mize deep in the top of the sixth inning for his first long ball of the year, scoring Jose Abreu in the process. In 93 games in 2021, Grandal blasted 23 homers and drove in 93 runs while producing career-high .940 on-base plus slugging percentage. He'll look to replicate last season's success now in year three with the White Sox.
Oct 11 2021Grandal went 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and three RBI in Sunday's 12-6 win over Houston in Game 3 of the ALDS. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal cut the White Sox's deficit to 5-3 in the third inning, when he drove a fly ball 359 feet to left field that barely cleared the fence for a two-run home run. The backstop was then at the center of a pivotal play for Chicago with the game tied at 6-6 in his next at-bat an inning later. After he hit a grounder to first base, Grandal was hit by the ball on a throw home by the Astros' Yuli Gurriel that scored Luis Robert, with officials ruling the play an error rather than interference on Grandal's part. Robert's run gave the White Sox a 7-6 lead, and Chicago didn't look back after that to secure its first win of the series.
Sep 27 2021Grandal went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs and a walk in the win over the Tigers on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The catcher opened the scoring for the White Sox in this one, launching a solo homer off of Matt Manning in the top of the fourth inning. He has now hit 23 home runs this season in only 88 games. The multi-hit effort was his third in four contests, batting .500 with three runs and three RBI in those games.
Sep 26 2021Grandal went 3-for-4 with one RBI and a walk in Sunday's 5-2 victory over Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal knocked three singles in the win, including an RBI knock in the first inning. He went 5-for-10 (.500) with three walks over the last three games, improving his season slash line to .241/.420/.521 through 351 plate appearances. He's driven in 61 runs with 29 extra-base hits.
Sep 24 2021Grandal will sit Friday against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started both halves of Thursday's doubleheader, serving as the designated hitter in the nightcap after starting behind the plate in the afternoon contest. He'll get a well-deserved rest Friday, with Zack Collins making another start behind the plate.
Sep 19 2021Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 7-2 win over the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal took Jordan Lyles deep to lead off the fourth inning, sparking a five-run inning. He has homered in back-to-back games and he has eight in his last 18 games. The catcher is slashing .235/.414/.531 with 22 long balls, 56 RBI and 59 runs scored in 325 plate appearances.
Sep 16 2021Grandal isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather after he went 6-for-16 with a homer, three runs and three RBI across the last four games. Zack Collins will start behind the dish and bat eighth.
Sep 12 2021Grandal went 3-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Saturday's 9-8 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: His fifth-inning blast off Ryan Brasier gave the White Sox an 8-7 lead, but the offense went cold the rest of the way. Grandal has now reached 20 homers for the fifth straight full campaign (not including the COVID-shortened 2020 season), and since returning to action in late August he's slashing a stunning .462/.577/1.000 with six home runs, 12 runs scored and 17 RBI in only 12 games with a 10:6 BB:K.
Sep 5 2021Grandal is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal gets a day off after catching Saturday night's game. He's been scorching hot at the plate recently, hitting .545 with two doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI in seven games since returning from injury. Seby Zavala is behind the dish for Sunday's series finale.
Aug 31 2021Grandal went 1-for-2 with a solo homer run and two walks in Tuesday's win versus the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The catcher has been red hot since he returned from the injured list on Friday, crushing four home runs and driving in 11 runs over four games. He has now launched 18 long balls this season, but has struggled to a .210 batting average, which would represent a career low for the 32-year-old.
Aug 30 2021Grandal went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 13-1 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal hit one of five homers for the White Sox on Sunday, his being a two-run homer off Adam Morgan in the fifth inning. Grandal finished the series 6-for-12 with three home runs, 10 RBI, three runs scored and 1:2 BB:K. He was activated off the injured list Friday after being out for nearly two months and figures to resume his role as the team's everyday catcher as the White Sox compete for playoff positioning down the final stretch of the season.
Aug 27 2021Grandal went 4-for-6 with two home runs, a double and eight RBI in Friday's 17-13 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The catcher missed nearly two months while recovering from knee surgery, and he seemed to want to make up for it all at once. Grandal hit three-run blasts in the third and eighth innings while adding a two-run double in the fifth to account for nearly half of the White Sox's run production. The huge game lifted his season slash line to .203/.394/.481 with 16 homers, 46 RBI, 44 runs scored and four doubles through 252 plate appearances.
Aug 25 2021Manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday that Grandal's (knee) return is "imminent," Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: La Russa previously ruled Grandal out for the team's current road trip in Toronto, but it appears as though the catcher will be back in action in the coming days. The 32-year-old has made nine rehab appearances between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, and he's slashed .321/.394/.464 with a home run, a double, four runs and three RBI.
Aug 22 2021Manager Tony La Russa said Grandal (knee) won't return from the 10-day injured list during the White Sox's upcoming four-game series in Toronto that concludes Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: La Russa stressed that Grandal hasn't suffered a setback in his recovery from the left knee surgery he required in early July; the White Sox simply aren't keen on rushing him back early while he rebuilds strength in the knee. Grandal will likely remain on assignment at Triple-A Charlotte through at least the end of the week before the White Sox re-evaluate him for a potential activation. Through his first seven rehab games between Charlotte and Double-A Binghamton, Grandal has gone 9-for-20 with a home run and three RBI.
Aug 17 2021Grandal's (knee) rehab assignment will be moved to Triple-A Charlotte beginning Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal began a rehab assignment with Double-A Birmingham last Wednesday, and the backstop wound up going 4-for-11 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored across four games. It's not entirely clear how many games the club plans on having him play with Charlotte, but assuming he continues to progress well, the 32-year-old figures to have a chance of being activated from the 10-day IL by the end of the week. Grandal should resume as Chicago's primary catcher once he's activated.
Aug 11 2021Grandal (knee) was sent to Double-A Birmingham on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal tested his knee by running the bases over the weekend, and he's been cleared to return to game action with the team's minor-league affiliate. The 32-year-old has been on the injured list since early July due to a left knee procedure, but he'll begin the final step in his recovery process and will reclaim the primary role behind the dish once he's reinstated from the 10-day IL.
Aug 10 2021Grandal (knee) is close to beginning a rehab assignment, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 32-year-old resumed running the bases over the weekend, and he's about the enter the final stages of his rehab program. Grandal has been sidelined since early July due to a torn tendon in his left knee that required surgery, so he should require a handful of games in the minors during the rehab stint. Seby Zavala has taken over primary catching duties in his absence while Zack Collins continues to work in a secondary role.
Aug 7 2021Grandal (knee) has been running up the baseline recently, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal had been limited to light activity at the end of July, but he's been able to test his knee more recently through his baserunning drills. The catcher remains without a timetable to return as he continues to recover from left knee surgery, but he's slightly increased his workload recently.
Jul 20 2021Grandal (knee) threw and took some swings Tuesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Tony La Russa said the fact that Grandal is not limping is an encouraging sign, and it suggests he may be slightly ahead of schedule in his recovery from left knee surgery. It's unclear when the catcher will be ready for activation, but all signs have pointed to his returning before the regular season concludes.
Jul 7 2021Grandal underwent successful surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left knee Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was removed from Monday's game against the Twins with a knee injury, and initial reports were that he's expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks. However, it's possible his return timeline could change, given that he required Wednesday's procedure. The White Sox still anticipate Grandal being able to return sometime later this season, and the club is expected to provide an update on the backstop in the near future. Zack Collins should serve as the primary catcher in coming weeks while Seby Zavala spells him behind the plate.
Jul 6 2021Grandal is expected to miss four to six weeks with a torn tendon in his left knee, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The catcher falls victim to a knee injury in his first game back from a relatively minor calf ailment. Specifics about Grandal's return timeline should become available in a few weeks. Zack Collins will be the White Sox's starting catcher, with Seby Zavala, whom the team recalled Tuesday, serving as the backup.
Jul 5 2021Grandal was removed from Monday's game against the Twins with a strained left calf. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 32-year-old dealt with tightness in his left calf over the weekend and aggravated the injury in his return to the lineup Monday. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but it wouldn't be a major surprise to see Grandal miss a bit of time given the recurring nature of the issue.
Jul 4 2021Grandal (calf) remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 32-year-old's encouraging comments Saturday suggested that he'd be back in the lineup Sunday, but the team is likely resting its star catcher, who exited Friday's game with calf tightness, as a continued precaution. Zack Collins is catching Sunday, and will continue to start behind the plate until Grandal is ready to return.
Jul 3 2021Grandal (calf) said he feels fine and is sitting out Saturday against the Tigers just to be safe, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The catcher said he felt nothing more than some tightness in his left calf. Given his comments, Grandal figures to be available Saturday as an emergency backup, but there's been no indication from the White Sox as to whether he is in fact available off the bench.
Jul 2 2021Grandal (calf) won't play Saturday against the Tigers, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Tony La Russa is hopeful that Grandal's injury isn't serious, but the 32-year-old should have at least one day to recover. He's considered day-to-day for now and will be evaluated again Saturday to determine his status going forward. La Russa isn't yet sure whether the team will call someone up to serve as a backup catcher in Grandal's absence, but Seby Zavala could be a candidate to join the major-league roster.
Jul 1 2021Grandal went 2-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in Wednesday's 13-3 win over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has hit safely in six of the last seven games, including four home runs, and produced 12 RBI during that stretch. He's up to 14 homers in 60 games. Grandal's batting average is a sickly .186, but his .262 ISO is much more healthy.
Jun 27 2021Grandal is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Game 2 against the Mariners on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 32-year-old caught the final six frames of Saturday's suspended contest early Sunday, and he'll shift to first base for the second game with Jose Abreu (knee) sitting out. Grandal went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and a run during Game 1.
Jun 25 2021Grandal went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 9-3 loss to Seattle. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal got the White Sox on the board in the second inning with his 12th long ball of the season. The 32-year-old served as the designated hitter Friday -- he's seen a slight majority of the playing time behind the dish, but the White Sox have preferred to keep his bat in the lineup when Zack Collins is the catcher. Grandal is slashing just .175/.385/.419 with 30 RBI and 35 runs scored through 219 plate appearances.
Jun 22 2021Grandal went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run Tuesday against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was not in the starting lineup -- Zack Collins got the start behind the plate -- but entered the game in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter. He delivered on the opportunity, slugging his 11th home run of the season to temporarily give the White Sox the lead. Overall, Grandal has a 128 wRC+ across 211 plate appearances and has also chipped in 27 RBI and 34 runs scored.
Jun 11 2021Grandal is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a rest after starting behind the dish for all three games of the previous series against the Blue Jays. Zack Collins will catch Lucas Giolito and bat eighth Friday.
Jun 10 2021Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Thursday's win over the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal launched his 10th homer of the season in the bottom of the first inning, but he was largely ineffectual the rest of the way. The star catcher has hit safely in five of the White Sox's last seven games and could be close to turning things around, but his miserable BABIP translates to a meager .160 average. Grandal has produced across the board excluding the low batting average, though, as evidenced by an .829 OPS that ranks sixth in baseball among catchers with at least 40 games played.
Jun 5 2021Grandal went 2-for-2 with two walks, two solo home runs and a third run scored in Friday's 9-8 win over the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal homered in the second inning to put Chicago on the board, then he rescued the team in the seventh with a game-tying blast after the White Sox's bullpen surrendered a five-run lead in the top half of the inning. That set the stage for Yermin Mercedes' walkoff single. Grandal's belted three homers over the last two days, giving him nine for the season. The catcher is batting .154 with a miserable .123 BABIP. He's been hitting the ball hard -- 97th percentile per Baseball Savant -- but right at defenders.
Jun 3 2021Grandal went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Thursday against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal made his lone hit of the contest count, as he launched his seventh home run of the season off Casey Mize in the seventh inning. The performance snapped a three-game hitless streak for Grandal, though he's still hitting only .137 for the season. Even so, he's maintained a .384 on-base percentage with 23 runs scored and 19 RBI across 147 plate appearances.
Jun 1 2021Grandal is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will take a seat for the second time in three games, with Zack Collins slated to catch Dylan Cease in Cleveland.
May 31 2021Grandal is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran backstop was almost certain to get one of Monday's two games off, so he will rest up during the first half of the twin bill. Zack Collins will catch Carlos Rodon in Game 1, with Grandal likely to be behind the dish for Jimmy Lambert's first major-league start in Game 2.
May 30 2021Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday versus Baltimore. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started both ends of Saturday's doubleheader and will receive the day off for Sunday's series finale. Zack Collins will work behind the plate for Chicago.
May 26 2021Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Tony La Russa will park Grandal on the bench for the second game in a row while the veteran backstop is stuck in a prolonged slump at the plate. Though he's ridden a sky-high 30.2 percent walk rate to a stellar .391 on-base average, Grandal has struggled to find holes in the defense when he's been able to make contact. He's sitting on a .136 batting average for the season, and his .120 BABIP and .177 XBA would seem suggest that he hasn't been particularly unlucky. Zack Collins will be behind the plate for the second game in a row, but he doesn't appear to have unseated Grandal for the No. 1 catching job. In fact, La Russa told James Fegan of The Athletic that he plans to have Grandal start three games in a row beginning Thursday.
May 25 2021Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is hitting just .136 on the season but is a solidly above-average hitter according to his 126 wRC+. He's far more valuable in leagues that use on-base percentage, as an incredible 29.5 percent walk rate has helped him to an excellent .391 mark in that category despite his awful batting average. He'll get a rest Tuesday with Zack Collins starting behind the plate.
May 23 2021Grandal went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and a strikeout in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal brought the White Sox within one run by homering in the seventh inning Sunday, and he drew a walk in the top of the ninth inning before he was replaced by a pinch runner. Grandal has now homered twice in his last four games, and he's slashing .141/.395/.376 with six home runs, 21 runs and 18 RBI this season.
May 21 2021Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is 4-for-17 with three homers, eight walks, seven RBI and eight runs over his past seven games, but he'll take a seat for the second straight contest Friday. Zack Collins will receive another start behind the plate for Chicago.
May 19 2021Grandal isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, two walks and a strikeout in Tuesday's loss to Minnesota. Zack Collins will start behind the plate and bat seventh.
May 18 2021Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a pair of walks during Tuesday's loss to the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal left the yard against Bailey Ober in the third inning to add another pair of runs to Chicago's lead. While the 32-year-old backstop now has five long balls to his name this season, his batting line of .132/.387/.316 leaves much to be desired.
May 15 2021Grandal is not in Saturday's lineup against the Royals, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The switch-hitting catcher receives a day off after struggling mightily Friday, striking out in each of his three at-bats. Walks have been the calling card for Grandal and his .373 on-base percentage, but he failed to draw a base on balls Friday. Zack Collins gets the start at catcher Saturday.
May 13 2021Grandal isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a breather after he blasted home runs in each of the last two games. Zack Collins will start behind the plate and bat seventh.
May 11 2021Grandal went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Tuesday against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal took Kenta Maeda yard in the second inning to record his third home run of the season. He's been in a horrible slump for much of the campaign, highlighted by zero multi-hit games in his last 15 starts. However, Grandal has a 28.4 percent walk rate, which has resulted in a .121/.372/.288 line across 95 plate appearances.
May 7 2021Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started the last two games and will take a seat for Friday's series opener. Zack Collins will work behind the plate for the White Sox.
May 2 2021Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He'll rest for the series finale after turning in a big day at the plate in Saturday's 7-3 win. Despite not recording a hit in the contest, Grandal came around to score twice while drawing four walks on the day. Zack Collins will fill in at catcher for the idle Grandal on Sunday.
May 1 2021Grandal failed to register an at bat while logging four walks and two runs as Chicago beat Cleveland 7-3 on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran catcher demonstrated his on-base penchant by walking each time he stepped up to the dish and now has nine walks compared to one hit over his last six games. Grandal currently owns a .333 OBP compared to a .273 SLG.
Apr 29 2021Grandal isn't starting Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was initially slated to sit out Wednesday's contest before it was rained out, but he'll take a seat for Thursday's matinee instead. Zack Collins will start behind the dish and bat seventh.
Apr 28 2021Grandal is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's been a rough stretch for Grandal at the plate, as he is hitting .059 with one home run over his last 11 games, albeit with more walks (eight) than strikeouts (seven) over that stretch. He will be back in the lineup Thursday, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
Apr 25 2021Grandal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With Grandal resting following four consecutive starts at catcher, Zack Collins will step in behind the dish for the series finale. Grandal is in the midst of a brutal slump at the plate, having recorded two hits in 31 at-bats over his last 10 games.
Apr 20 2021Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 8-5 win against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 32-year-old entered Tuesday's contest 1-for-21 over the previous seven games, but he busted out with his second homer of the season. Grandal has a .150/.306/.350 slash line with two home runs, six runs and nine RBI through 12 games.
Apr 18 2021Grandal is out of the lineup for the second game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Manager Tony La Russa will give Grandal some maintenance for the second game after the 32-year-old caught all seven innings while going 1-for-3 with an RBI double in Chicago's 3-2 win in Game 1. Zack Collins gets the start behind the plate in Game 2, while Yermin Mercedes serves as Chicago's designated hitter.
Apr 17 2021Grandal isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has gone hitless with six walks, one run, one RBI and four strikeouts in his last 21 plate appearances. Zack Collins will start behind the dish Saturday, batting sixth.
Apr 14 2021Grandal is not in Wednesday's lineup against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He is 0-for-11 with six walks and four strikeouts over his last four games. Zack Collins starts behind the dish and will bat sixth.
Apr 11 2021Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will head to the bench for Sunday's series finale despite receiving an impromptu off day due to Saturday's postponement. Zack Collins will start behind the plate and bat seventh for the White Sox.
Apr 6 2021Grandal is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal is hitting .267 with one home run, three walks and three strikeouts through four games. Zack Collins will start behind the dish and bat seventh.
Apr 3 2021Grandal will sit Saturday against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has started the third-most games behind the plate over the last three seasons, trailing only Yadier Molina and J.T. Realmuto, but it's possible he could start needing a bit more rest going forward in his age-32 season. He started the first two games of the year but will cede his spot to Zack Collins on Saturday.
Mar 18 2021Grandal has no pain in his knee but is still building back his strength and endurance, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has been slowed by a knee injury for much of the spring, which has forced him to serve primarily as the designated hitter in exhibition action. He did make his debut behind the dish Thursday and is shooting to be at full strength by Opening Day.
Mar 17 2021Grandal (knee) will catch in Thursday's spring game against the Royals, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has spent some time as the designated hitter for the White Sox recently while dealing with knee inflammation, but he'll be behind the plate for the first time this spring during Thursday's Cactus League game. It's not yet clear whether the 32-year-old's slow start to camp will impact his availability for Opening Day, but Grandal will have two weeks to work behind the dish before the regular season starts.
Mar 14 2021Grandal (knee) started at designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with a walk in Saturday's spring game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal, who made his Cactus League debut, has been dealing with a twisted knee suffered during a running drill Feb. 24. There's still no word on when he'll start behind the plate or what his availability will be come Opening Day, but there is more than two weeks remaining in spring training for him to progress to the point of catching.
Mar 13 2021Grandal (knee) will make his Cactus League debut Saturday against the Angels, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It was originally announced that Grandal would appear in "B" games Friday and Saturday, but the White Sox changed course and will have the injured catcher appear in Saturday's main game. He served as the designated hitter Friday and went 1-for-4 and will follow up as the DH on Saturday against Los Angeles' Shohei Otani. There have been no announced plans for when Grandal will start behind the plate, although manager Tony La Russa said Grandal has been participating in catching drills and is "on time" in terms of his rehab.
Mar 12 2021Grandal (knee) will serve as the designated hitter in a pair of B games Friday and Saturday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has been dealing with knee inflammation since late February. The White Sox are bringing him along cautiously, and it's still not clear exactly when he'll get back behind the plate. He should still have time to get up to game speed by Opening Day as long as he does so soon, however.
Mar 11 2021Grandal (knee) took swings during a simulated game Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal continues to work his way back from right knee inflammation, and he looked good once again in Wednesday's sim game. Manager Tony La Russa remains encouraged by Grandal's progress, but it's not yet clear when he'll be able to appear in spring games.
Mar 7 2021Grandal (knee) had another successful hitting session Sunday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has yet to see game action during spring training while dealing with right knee inflammation, but he's making progress in his recovery while taking swings on the side. Manager Tony La Russa was encouraged by the progress that the 32-year-old is making but emphasized that he's being brought along slowly. "Slow play as they say," La Russa said. "But he's doing more and more. That's a good sign." It's not yet clear when Grandal will be able to make his spring debut.
Mar 5 2021Manager Tony La Russa said Grandal (knee) is swinging in the batting cage Friday but won't see game action this weekend, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 32-year-old twisted his right knee during drills last week and has yet to see game action this spring while dealing with the resulting inflammation. The injury doesn't appear to be a serious concern, but it's worth keeping an eye on Grandal's status as spring training progresses. Injury issues to open the season for a catcher in his 30s could be problematic for the White Sox, especially following the offseason departure of a starting-caliber backup in James McCann.
Feb 28 2021Grandal (knee) ramped up his hitting and throwing Sunday and is expected to return soon, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal recently twisted his right knee during drills and will miss at least the first two spring games due to inflammation, but he appears to be nearing a return. Barring any setbacks, the 32-year-old catcher should still have plenty of time to prepare for Opening Day.
Feb 27 2021Grandal twisted his right knee during drills and will sit for at least the first two spring games until his inflammation subsides, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Catchers come with inherent injury risk, as do players in their early thirties, so this certainly isn't the ideal place for Grandal to be in early in camp. The injury doesn't appear to be a particularly worrisome one, and he still has more than a month to get up to speed by Opening Day, but the worry here is that spring knee issues could foreshadow similar problems throughout the year for a player at his age and position.
Sep 26 2020Grandal will sit Saturday against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal returned from a brief absence due to a hand injury Thursday and started a pair of games, going hitless in both. He'll get a rest in this one, with James McCann taking over behind the plate.
Sep 24 2020Grandal (hand) is starting at catcher and batting third Thursday against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He left Monday's game with a bruised right hand but was able to make a quick recovery. Grandal is hitting .241 with three home runs in 58 at-bats this month. He has a .233/.354/.420 slash line with seven home runs on the season.
Sep 23 2020Grandal (hand) remains on the bench Tuesday against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal exited Monday's game with a bruised hand and did not start Tuesday's contest, though he did appear off the bench. That would suggest he's not far from being able to return to the lineup, though the White Sox have already clinched a playoff spot, so they have very little reason to rush him.
Sep 22 2020Grandal (hand) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal left Monday's contest with a bruised right hand. It doesn't sound as though he'll need to miss too much time, but with the White Sox's postseason berth already secured, they can afford to be cautious with him. James McCann starts behind the plate in his absence.
Sep 21 2020Grandal left Monday's game against the Indians due to a bruised right hand, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal's X-rays came back negative, which is promising news for the White Sox with the postseason on the horizon. He'll likely be evaluated on a daily basis moving forward.
Sep 20 2020Grandal is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was part of the team's back-to-back-to-back homer parade in the eighth inning Saturday against Robert Stephenson. He had been a bit cold before that and will take a seat Sunday, affording James McCann a start behind the plate. Nick Madrigal moves up to the two hole against right-hander Michael Lorenzen.
Sep 12 2020Grandal went 1-for-3 with two walks, an RBI and three runs scored Saturday against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal reached base a total of three times and came around to score on each occasion. He has swung the bat well of late, as he now has a seven-game hitting streak, during which he's collected 10 hits in 26 at-bats to go along with two home runs, eight RBI and nine runs scored.
Sep 11 2020Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has a modest six-game hit streak and is 9-for-23 with two homers, two doubles, six runs ans seven RBI during that stretch, but he'll receive a breather Friday. James McCann will start behind the plate in the series opener versus Detroit.
Sep 8 2020Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Tuesday against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal took Dovydas Neverauskas yard in the fifth inning for his sixth homer of the season. He now has at least one hit in seven of last eight contests, collecting two home runs, six RBI and six runs scored in that span. Overall, Grandal is hitting .257/.372/.460 with 18 runs scored and 20 RBI across 137 plate appearances.
Sep 6 2020Grandal went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored Sunday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was busy at the plate, with the highlight coming on an RBI double in the eighth inning that put the White Sox up 7-2. He's put together a modest four-game hitting streak, during which he's smacked a home run, two doubles, driven in four and scored two runs. Overall, Grandal has managed a .257/.376/.440 line across 133 plate appearances.
Sep 4 2020Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal's performances have picked up after some early struggles, as he's hitting .263/.391/.526 over his last 10 games. James McCann starts behind the plate Friday.
Aug 29 2020Grandal went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-5 win over the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal mashed a walkoff homer to give the White Sox the victory, which elevated them to a first-place tie with the Twins in the AL Central. If not for an incident in the top of the ninth inning, in which the catcher was involved, Grandal's bottom-of-the-ninth heroics would not have been required. Following a rundown, first baseman Jose Abreu threw home to nail Bubba Starling trying to score, but Grandal wasn't expecting the throw, believing the play was dead. He more than made up for his mental miscue with his fourth home run.
Aug 25 2020Grandal isn't in Tuesday's lineup against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started three consecutive games since returning from a back issue, but he'll get a day off against Pittsburgh. James McCann will start behind the plate Tuesday.
Aug 22 2020Grandal went 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and one run scored Saturday against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal went yard in the ninth inning, taking Duane Underwood deep for his third home run of the season. Grandal has now homered in back-to-back contests after missing the three prior games with a back injury. He had a slow start to the campaign, and currently has a .236/.352/.403 line with 10 runs scored and 13 RBI across 88 plate appearances.
Aug 21 2020Grandal (back) returns to the lineup Friday against the Cubs, catching and batting second. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: A stiff lower back sidelined Grandal for the last three games, though the issue evidently wasn't particularly serious. He's still yet to get going at the plate this season, as he's hitting .222/.346/.317 while posting a career-worst 33.3 percent strikeout rate.
Aug 20 2020Grandal (back) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will sit for the third day in a row while he deals with lower-back stiffness. The White Sox continue to view Grandal's injury as a day-to-day situation, so the club is seemingly hopeful he'll check back into the starting nine for this weekend's series with the Cubs. James McCann will catch for Lucas Giolito in the series finale against Detroit.
Aug 19 2020Grandal (back) remains on the bench Wednesday against Detroit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It's no surprise to see Grandal continue to sit, as manager Rick Renteria indicated Tuesday the he hoped the catcher would return from his lower-back stiffness by the end of the week, seemingly ruling out a return within the next day or two. Zack Collins will catch debutant Dane Dunning on Wednesday.
Aug 18 2020White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Tuesday that he hoped Grandal (back) would return to the lineup by the end of the week, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal left Monday's game against the Tigers with lower-back stiffness and will be on the bench Tuesday, and it now sounds as though he's set to miss at least a few more days. James McCann will be the primary catcher until he returns, with Zack Collins available to back him up.
Aug 17 2020Grandal left Monday's game against the Tigers with lower back stiffness and will be considered day-to-day. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will likely be re-evaluated Tuesday morning to determine his status for his team's next matchup with Detroit. James McCann figures to draw the start behind the dish if Grandal can't go.
Aug 16 2020Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was the second in a series of four consecutive home runs for the White Sox in the fifth inning. It was his first home run as a member of the club, and just his fourth extra-base hit of the season. As a result, he's managed just a .230/.347/.328 line across 75 plate appearances to this point.
Aug 12 2020Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal merely looks to be receiving a routine breather with the White Sox and Tigers concluding their series with a day game after a night game. James McCann checks in behind the plate in place of Grandal, who is batting .245 with no home runs and nine RBI on the campaign.
Aug 8 2020Grandal (foot) is starting Saturday's game against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal was held out of Friday's win while dealing with a minor foot issue. However, he'll reclaim his spot in the starting lineup for the second game of the series, batting fourth.
Aug 7 2020Grandal's absence from the lineup for Friday's game against Cleveland is due to an irritation in his left foot, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The issue is evidently a minor one, as Grandal will be available off the bench and is expected to return to the lineup Saturday. James McCann starts behind the plate in his absence.
Aug 2 2020Grandal went 3-for-4 with a walk, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 9-2 win over the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal, who drove in runs on three consecutive plate appearances, heated up over the weekend. He went 5-for-9 with a double, two walks, five RBI and three runs scored. The catcher's production helped the White Sox extend their win streak to four and moved them above .500 for the first time this season.
Aug 1 2020Grandal went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, two RBI and a walk during Saturday's 11-5 win over the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 31-year-old has been off to a slow start as he was 2-for-17 with zero extra-base hits entering Saturday's contest, but he was able to double up his hit total in Kansas City. There's a chance Grandal gives way to James McCann behind the plate for Sunday's series finale since it's a day game following a night game.
Jul 28 2020Grandal is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal started behind the plate for Game 1 and went 1-for-5 with an RBI and three strikeouts. James McCann will be the catcher for Carlos Rodon in the nightcap.
Jul 25 2020Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal will get a day off Saturday in a day game following Friday's night game, likely to preserve his long-term health. James McCann will start at catcher, batting eighth.
Mar 6 2020Grandal (calf) is starting behind the plate and batting cleanup for Friday's Cactus League matchup with the Cubs, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran backstop caught three innings during the White Sox's "B" game Wednesday against the Reds, but Friday will represent his first foray into Cactus League action this spring. Grandal still figures to be limited to a few innings Friday, but it's a promising sign for his Opening Day status as he continues his recovery from the calf strain he sustained in mid-February.
Mar 4 2020Grandal (calf) had two at-bats and caught three innings in the White Sox's "B" game against the Reds on Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal tested the strained left calf muscle, rapping a double in his first at-bat and swiping third base with nobody covering due to a defensive shift. He exited the game feeling good, per manager Rick Renteria, who added that Grandal may have a short catching stint Friday against the Cubs, pending the response of his body.
Mar 1 2020Grandal (calf) is expected to catch three innings during the White Sox's "B game" Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran catcher has been recovering from a calf injury he suffered two weeks prior to spring training, but he's appeared close to a return while taking live batting practice and catching bullpen sessions. Grandal is confident he'll catch in three consecutive games prior to Opening Day, and a return to game action Wednesday would put him on that track.
Feb 29 2020Grandal (calf) said he's not feeling pain, but he's not yet ready to compete in a game, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The White Sox are taking it slow with Grandal, who injured his calf about two weeks prior to spring training while running. A mental hurdle seems to be the sticking point right now. "It's about being comfortable pushing off it and not really thinking about it. Because once you start thinking, you're done," the catcher said. Grandal has been participating in live batting practice sessions and catching bullpens and remains confident he will catch in three consecutive games before Opening Day.
Feb 24 2020Manager Rick Renteria estimated that Grandal (calf) would miss between seven and 10 games prior to appearing in Grapefruit League matchups, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has been battling a mild calf strain over the beginning of spring training, but he's been able to participate in hitting and catching drills. The 32-year-old is scheduled to perform sprinting drills Monday, but he'll likely be sidelined between one and two weeks prior to appearing in Grapefruit League games. However, the injury is not expected to affect his availability for Opening Day if his recovery continues smoothly.
Feb 12 2020Grandal (calf) was able to catch Wednesday, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal came into camp with a mild calf strain and is expected to miss the first few Cactus League games. Initial reports indicated that his start to the regular season wasn't at risk, and the fact that he's already able to catch at the start of camp appears to back that up.
Nov 21 2019Grandal signed a four-year, $73 million contract with the White Sox on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal hit 28 home runs with an .848 OPS on a one-year deal with the Brewers in 2019, and the risk of a short-term contract last year paid off with a long-term deal with the White Sox that is the largest in franchise history. The 31-year-old should benefit from hitter-friendly Guaranteed Rate Field as he figures to be a key contributor in the White Sox's lineup. Daniel Palka was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Oct 31 2019Grandal declined his $16 million dollar option in his contract for 2020 and will become a free agent, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The move was largely expected, as Grandal took a gamble by signing a short-term deal with the Brewers this past offseason rather than accepting a long-term contract. The 30-year-old had a career-high 28 home runs with an .848 OPS that was his highest mark since his first season in the majors. Given his output in 2019, Grandal should get a large contract this offseason and play a major role in a team's offense.
Sep 30 2019Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Sunday in the Brewers' 4-3 loss to the Rockies in 13 innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The home run was Grandal's 28th of the season, establishing a new career high in the category. Grandal was pulled from the contest after four innings, but that was presumably only for rest purposes since the Cardinals were well on their way to securing a win over the Cubs, locking up the National League Central crown in the process. The Brewers were still able to clinch a wild-card spot last week, so expect Grandal to check in back behind the plate for Tuesday's win-or-go-home matchup with the Nationals. Grandal shouldered one of the heavier workloads among all catchers down the stretch, starting in each of the Brewers' final nine games.
Sep 30 2019Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Sunday in the Brewers' 4-3 loss to the Rockies in 13 innings.
Sep 19 2019Grandal is not in Thursday's lineup against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal has been really grinding for Milwaukee, as this represents his first day out of the lineup since Aug. 18. He is hitting .219/.390/.490 with seven home runs, 27 walks and 32 strikeouts in 28 games over that span. Manny Pina will start behind the dish and hit seventh. It would not be surprising if Grandal were in the lineup for each of the final nine games of the season.
Sep 11 2019Grandal went 0-for-1 with two runs scored and four walks in Wednesday's win over the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old was 4-for-9 with a double, a home run and three RBI through the first two games of the series, and the Marlins looked like they wanted no part of him Wednesday and instead pitched to Mike Moustakas, who delivered two homers. Grandal has exploded over the last nine games, going 12-for-34 (.353 average) with five home runs, two doubles, 11 runs scored and nine walks.
Sep 9 2019Grandal went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in Monday's 8-3 win over Miami. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After hitting just three homers in July and August combined, Grandal has already launched five in September and four in his last five games. The switch-hitting catcher is up to 26 long balls this season, one short of his career-high set in 2016.
Sep 7 2019Grandal went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Grandal came through in the eighth inning for the Brewers, as his 397-foot shot to center field tied the game 2-2 and set the stage for Christian Yelich's walkoff in the ninth. The veteran backstop has found his power stroke over the last five games, going 8-for-21 with four home runs, a double, six runs scored and five RBI.
Sep 5 2019Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Thursday's loss to the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: In the bottom of the fifth inning, Grandal tied the game at 4-4 with a two-run homer off Jose Quintana. He also walked in the ninth, though the Brewers couldn't complete the comeback. On the season, the 30-year-old catcher has 23 home runs, 66 RBI and 60 runs scored while batting .249/.378/.466.
Aug 28 2019Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Tuesday in the Brewers' 6-3 loss to the Cardinals.
Aug 18 2019Grandal is not in Sunday's lineup against the Nationals.
Aug 14 2019Grandal went 2-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.
Jul 27 2019Grandal is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cubs.
Jul 27 2019Grandal is not in Saturday's lineup<\/a> against the Cubs.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 21 2019Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday<\/a> against the Diamondbacks.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 17 2019Grandal is not in the lineup<\/a> Wednesday against the Braves.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 13 2019Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday<\/a> against San Francisco.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 3 2019Grandal is not in the lineup<\/a> Wednesday against the Reds.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 2 2019Grandal failed to record a hit but walked three times and collected an RBI and a run Monday in the Brewers' 8-6 win.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 30 2019Grandal is out of the lineup<\/a> for Sunday's game against the Pirates.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 25 2019Grandal went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Mariners.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 22 2019Grandal will lead off<\/a> in Saturday's game against the Reds.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 22 2019Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an RBI double, two runs and a walk in a 6-5 victory over the Reds on Saturday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 22 2019Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, RBI double, two runs and a walk in a 6-5 victory against the Reds on Saturday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 22 2019Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, RBI-double, two runs and a walk in a 6-5 victory against the Reds on Saturday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 22 2019Grandal will bat leadoff<\/a> in Saturday's game against the Reds.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 21 2019Grandal is not in the lineup<\/a> for Friday's game against the Reds.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 12 2019Grandal went 3-for-5 with a home run, double and four RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Astros.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 12 2019Grandal went 3-for-5 with a home run, double, and four RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Astros.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 6 2019Grandal is out of the lineup<\/a> for Thursday's game against the Marlins.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 5 2019Grandal went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run Wednesday against the Marlins.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 2 2019Grandal is out of the lineup<\/a> for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 30 2019Grandal went 4-for-6 with a solo home run and a double during Thursday's 11-5 win over the Pirates.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 28 2019Grandal went 2-for-4 with a triple and a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Twins.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 23 2019Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, two runs, and two walks in Wednesday's victory over the Reds.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 16 2019Grandal went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and two walks during an 11-3 victory against the Phillies on Thursday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 15 2019Grandal is not in the lineup<\/a> Wednesday against the Phillies.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 14 2019Grandal went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer Tuesday against the Phillies.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 8 2019Grandal is not in the lineup<\/a> Wednesday against the Nationals.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 25 2018Grandal is not in the lineup against the Phillies on Wednesday.It shouldn't come as a surprise that Grandal will get a little rest after going 3-for-7 with two home runs during Tuesday's 16-inning defeat. Austin Barnes will handle the catching duties for the series finale while batting eighth in the order.
Jul 24 2018Grandal batted cleanup and went 1-for-4 with his 14th home run of the season in Monday's 7-6 win over the Phillies.Grandal has experienced peaks and valleys offensively this season, but the end result has been positive, based on his .255/.354/.472 slash line and 14 homers over 316 plate appearances. The switch-hitting catcher will continue to sit in favor of Austin Barnes against southpaws, but Grandal's power potential and premier placement (for a catcher) in the Dodgers' lineup keep him mixed-league viable even in a strict platoon.
Jul 24 2018Grandal went 3-for-7 with two solo home runs and four strikeouts during Tuesday's 16-inning loss at Philadelphia.Grandal now has four homers in his last five starts, but will almost assuredly get the day off Wednesday after catching all 16 innings and 233 pitches Tuesday night. The 29-year-old has a .259/.356/.493 slash line with 16 home runs and 50 RBI in 278 at-bats in 2018.
Jul 22 2018Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Brewers, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.He'll give way to Austin Barnes behind the plate with lefty Brent Suter on the mound for the Brewers. Though he's a switch hitter, Grandal has been far more productive versus right-handed pitching (.270/.362/.515 batting line, 139 wRC+) than southpaws (.206/.329/.302, 82 wRC+) this season.
Jul 15 2018Grandal 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.
Jul 14 2018Grandal is on the bench for Saturday's game against the Angels.Grandal continues to sit against most lefties and will do so again with Andrew Heaney on the mound. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate in his place.
Jul 11 2018Grandal is out of the lineup for the second day in a row Wednesday against the Padres.Austin Barnes will make his second straight start and his third start in four games, though that likely is platoon-related and doesn't indicate that Grandal is losing his job. Grandal has now sat against the last seven lefties the Dodgers have faced, including Joey Lucchesi on Wednesday. Grandal is a switch hitter, but he does have a platoon split, posting a 119 career wRC+ against righties compared to a 103 wRC+ against lefties. The right-handed Barnes has a similar split in the opposite direction (118 wRC+ against lefties and 98 wRC+ against righties), so it would make sense for the platoon to continue moving forward.
Jul 10 2018Grandal is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Padres, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.He will sit for the second time in the last four games, in part because southpaw Eric Lauer is toeing the rubber for the Padres. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and hit eighth.
Jul 8 2018Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels.Austin Barnes will check in behind the plate while Grandal receives a maintenance day in the series finale. Grandal had started each of the Dodgers' previous five games at catcher, going 6-for-15 with four extra-base knocks, seven walks, five runs and five RBi in those contests.
Jul 5 2018Grandal went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Pirates.Grandal followed up his 12th home run Tuesday with another strong day at the plate Wednesday. The switch-hitting catcher has gotten off to a 7-for-10 start through four July contests, after struggling mightily in the month of June (.162/.197/.324). Grandal will still cede starts to Austin Barnes against southpaws, but the streaky hitter appears to be locked in at the dish for the time being.
Jul 4 2018Grandal went 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run and a pair of runs scored in Tuesday's win over Pittsburgh.After a strong start to the campaign, Grandal's bat had really cooled off in the month of June (.162/.197/.324). The catcher's prolonged slump caused him to revert back to being on the strong side of a platoon with Austin Barnes, after serving as the Dodgers' primary catcher early on. Still, Grandal should receive enough playing time against righties in order for his power (12 homers and .211 isolated power mark) to remain relevant in most fantasy formats.
Jul 1 2018Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies.With a 4-for-35 mark at the plate over his last 12 appearances, Grandal will head to the bench for the third time in four games. Backup Austin Barnes has largely struggled this season with a .214/.340/.270 line across 150 plate appearances, so he'll probably need to string together several quality performances in a row before supplanting Grandal as the Dodgers' top option behind the plate.
Jun 29 2018Grandal is not in the lineup against Colorado on Friday, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.Grandal will remain on the bench for a second straight game and third time in the past four days as Austin Barnes gets the start for the series opener. Across 19 games in June, Grandal is hitting just .169/.206/.338 and will continue to cede time to Barnes moving forward.
Jun 26 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.Grandal returns to the bench Tuesday with left-hander Jon Lester taking the mound for the Cubs, leaving the catching duties to Austin Barnes. Grandal is slashing only .156/.182/.313 in 66 plate appearances over his last 18 games.
Jun 24 2018Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Mets, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal has cooled off after a hot start, with his season line now sitting at .236/.327/.435. He's still made over two thirds of the starts behind the plate, however, as fellow catcher Austin Barnes has struggled to a .204/.343/.265 line on the year.
Jun 22 2018Grandal will not start Friday against the Mets, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.After a hot start, Grandal has cooled off significantly. Since the start of May, he's hitting .177/.262/.355, though he does have seven home runs. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate Friday.
Jun 19 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for the second half of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs.It only makes sense that the Dodgers would use a different catcher for each leg of the doubleheader. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate in place of Grandal, who was ejected late in Game 1 for arguing balls and strikes.
Jun 16 2018Grandal is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.Grandal is only 7-for-38 since the start of June, and will head to the bench as San Francisco sends Madison Bumgarner to the mound on Saturday. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate and bat eighth for Los Angeles.
Jun 13 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.Grandal will head to the bench for a breather after going 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI in Tuesday's win over the Rangers -- his fourth start in five games. Austin Barnes will set up behind the dish and hit eighth in his stead.
Jun 10 2018Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Braves.Grandal will retreat to the bench for a day of rest following three consecutive starts behind the plate in which he went a combined 2-for-13 with two homers and six strikeouts. Austin Barnes draws the start in his stead.
Jun 9 2018Grandal went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs to help the Dodgers to a 7-3 victory over the Braves on Friday.Grandal had been slumping coming into this contest with just three hits in June, but he broke out with this multi-homer effort that bumped him up to 11 long balls on the season. His batting average was bound to come down to earth eventually, but even if he stays around the .249 mark he's currently posting throughout the season, Grandal's power-hitting abilities and career .339 on-base percentage suggest he'll remain a fantasy asset at a shallow position.
Jun 7 2018Grandal went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in Thursday's win over the Pirates.Thursday's tough outing dropped Grandal's slash line to .243/.341/.442 on the year. Grandal is just 3-for-15 in June with six strikeouts. He has had success against right-handed pitching, however, which bodes well for his chances to turn things around over the weekend with the Dodgers facing right-handers Friday and Saturday in Atlanta.
Jun 6 2018Grandal is out of the lineup against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal will get a typical breather after starting the past three games. In his stead, Austin Barnes will catch and bat eighth in the order.
Jun 3 2018Grandal went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run Sunday against the Rockies.Grandal added insurance to the Dodgers' lead with his home run in the ninth inning off Wade Davis. It was his ninth homer of the season and first in two weeks. He'll look to use this performance to get his bat going again, as he stumbled to a .347 slugging percentage in May after starting the season with a .566 mark in April.
Jun 1 2018Grandal is out of Friday's lineup in Colorado.He has cooled off a bit, hitting .171/.286/.257 with one home run and 12 strikeouts over his last 10 games (35 at-bats). Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and hit seventh.
May 29 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies.Grandal will get the night off after starting the previous three games behind the dish. Austin Barnes will start at catcher and hit eighth in his stead Tuesday.
May 25 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.Padres' left-hander Clayton Richard will take the mound Friday, sending Grandal to the bench. Austin Barnes wills start behind the plate and bat eighth for the Dodgers.
May 23 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.Grandal will get a breather for the series finale after starting the previous five games behind the dish. Austin Barnes is starting at catcher and hitting second in his stead Wednesday.
May 20 2018Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Nationals.Grandal blasted his eighth home run of the season in the second inning, this one coming off right-hander Stephen Strasburg. He has cooled down since a fast start to the season in April, but has three home runs in his past six games. Overall, he has a .511 slugging percentage in 137 at-bats this season, a very impressive mark relative to most other catchers.
May 17 2018Grandal is out of the lineup Thursday against the Marlins, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.Grandal and Austin Barnes have alternated turns behind the plate over the last four games, with Grandal drawing both of his starts against right-handed pitching while Barnes entered the lineup versus lefties. It's unclear if the catchers will work in a strict platoon going forward, but with a 181-point edge in OPS this season, Grandal should see the bulk of the playing time regardless of how manager Dave Roberts elects to divvy up the starts.
May 15 2018Grandal is not starting Tuesday against the Marlins.The catcher is posting excellent numbers so far this season, hitting .275/.385/.500 with six homers in 36 games. He hasn't been as good since the start of May, though, hitting just .161 in 12 games. Austin Barnes will be the Dodgers' catcher Tuesday.
May 13 2018Grandal went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Cincinnati.Grandal returned to the lineup after getting Saturday off, and he responded with his sixth long ball of the campaign. The switch-hitting catcher's hot start (.275/.385/.500) has allowed him to escape an expected platoon, with Austin Barnes getting a good portion of his at-bats at the keystone. Grandal remains a mainstay in the heart of a struggling Dodgers' lineup, despite getting off to a poor start this month (5-for-31 in May).
May 12 2018Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against the Reds.Grandal is hitting .267/.377/.474 with five homers on the season, though he's struggled a bit in May, going just 3-for-27 since the start of the month. Austin Barnes will catch Saturday.
May 9 2018Grandal went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.Grandal hit a solo home run in the third, and then had an RBI single in the fifth. The multi-hit affair came after a six-game hitless streak, but Grandal's slash line still sits at a favorable .280/.381/.505. The backstop's 23 RBI and 17 runs are both good for second place among MLB catchers, trailing only Gary Sanchez of the Yankees.
May 6 2018Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Padres.Grandal hasn't recorded a base hit in the month of May, and went 0-for-8 at the dish while starting the first two games of the series. He'll get what appears to be a regular day off to clear his head, with Austin Barnes in line to man the backstop.
May 3 2018Grandal is out of the lineup against Arizona on Thursday, Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA reports.Grandal will retreat to the bench for a standard day off following five straight starts behind the plate. In his place, Austin Barnes will catch Alex Wood and bat fifth in the order.
Apr 28 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Giants, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal has been the primary catcher for the Dodgers this season, starting 18 of the team's first 25 games behind the plate. Austin Barnes will start the afternoon game in his place, though it's likely each catcher will get a start in one half of the doubleheader. Grandal is hitting .316/.409/.566 so far this season, numbers which should see him holding on to his starting job for a while.
Apr 24 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.Grandal is off to a solid start to the season, hitting .328/.423/.552 with three homers in 18 games, but he will get the night off after starting each of the previous seven games behind the dish. Austin Barnes will start at catcher and hit sixth in his stead.
Apr 22 2018Grandal went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 over the Nationals.Grandal has a hit in each of his last 11 games after delivering a two-RBI double in the sixth inning Sunday. He continues to be red hot at the plate, slashing .349/.446/.587 with three home runs and 16 RBI through 17 games. It's unlikely that Grandal will continue to hit at this pace, but a struggling Dodgers team will continue to ride his production for the time being.
Apr 17 2018Grandal homered and knocked in five runs in a 2-for-4 game Monday against the Padres.Grandal extended his hit streak to six games and already has three games in 2018 with a double and a home run. His batting line sits at an absurd .372/.460/.651 as he continues to but an otherwise sluggish Dodgers squad on his back.
Apr 15 2018Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal will get the day off after starting each of the team's past three games, going 5-for-11 with a homer and two RBI in the process. Austin Barnes draws the start and will bat sixth in his stead.
Apr 12 2018Grandal went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and a pair of RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Athletics.Grandal was the only Dodger bat to do significant damage to Oakland starter, Daniel Mengden, in a rough loss. The 29-year-old owns a .625 slugging percentage despite tallying just four extra-base hits so far, which is a reminder of the strict platoon that limits him to starts against right-handed pitchers. Grandal won't see as many plate appearances as traditional starting backstops, but he should provide enough pop (49 homers over last two seasons) to help out fantasy owners at the catcher position.
Apr 10 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the A's.Grandal will head to the bench for Tuesday's series opener against the Athletics as he continues to split time behind the dish with Austin Barnes. Barnes will pick up his fourth start of the season at catcher -- Grandal has started six -- and hit eighth.
Apr 7 2018Grandal will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Grandal will now how started five of the team's first eight games, a fairly normal workload for a starting catcher, despite the presence of Austin Barnes, one of the best backup catchers in the league. Barnes will catch and hit seventh Saturday. Grandal is off to a hot start, hitting .350/.432/.550 in his first 23 plate appearances.
Apr 3 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Grandal will head to the bench for a breather after starting four out of the Dodgers' first five games behind the dish, including two straight. Austin Barnes will pick up the start at catcher in his place, hitting eighth.
Apr 3 2018Grandal went 3-for-6 with a double, a home run, two walks, two RBI and a pair of runs scored in Monday's 8-7 marathon loss to the Diamondbacks.The slugging catcher flashed both of the hitting tools fantasy owners drafted him for (power and patience) in this one. Grandal has started four of the Dodgers' first five games of the season, so the offseason concerns regarding Austin Barnes stealing playing time against righties hasn't materialized quite yet. The 29-year-old's hot start at the dish (7-for-16) may have something to do with that. Consider Grandal a strong play at catcher while seeing regular at-bats against righties in the heart of the order.
Mar 31 2018Grandal is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.After starting the first two games of the season, Grandal will head to the bench while Austin Barnes takes over behind the dish. The two are expected to split time at backstop in 2018, with Grandal seeing more plate appearances against right-handed pitchers.
Mar 12 2018Grandal went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and five total RBI in Sunday's spring win over the Rockies.It was the switch-hitting catcher's third homer of the exhibition campaign, including one against a southpaw, who he has historically struggled against in his career. The Athletic reported that Grandal was tweaking his swing in an effort to increase his launch angle -- and in turn, increase his power output. This launch angle movement hasn't always panned out for sluggers, but it clearly hasn't had a negative effect on the 29-year-old's swing so far this spring. Grandal was one of just six major-league catchers to reach the 20-homer plateau last season, and he appears poised to post another as long as he can stay ahead of Austin Barnes on the depth chart this year.
Feb 20 2018Grandal worked on his swing this offseason with the intention of increasing his launch angle, The Athletic reports.Grandal is attempting to join the launch angle revolution. Notable success stories among those who have attempted to improve their slugging percentage by hitting more balls in the air include Josh Donaldson, J.D. Martinez, and Grandal's teammate Justin Turner, though not everyone has benefited from changing their swing. Rob Arthur of FiveThirtyEight found that only about half of the hitters who increased their launch angle saw the desired improvements. Don't assume that Grandal will automatically be better this season, but there's at least a chance that he finds some untapped power in 2018.
Feb 15 2018Grandal is set to split time with Austin Barnes at the catcher position in 2018, although the former will likely receive a majority of the at-bats against right-handed pitching, according to manager Dave Roberts, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.It appears as though Grandal will officially begin the season atop the Dodgers' depth chart after being supplanted by Barnes in the postseason. Grandal was the primary backstop in 2017, slashing .247/.308/.459 with 22 home runs and 58 RBI. This will be a situation to monitor throughout spring training and it wouldn't be surprising at all if Barnes surpasses Grandal early on this year.
Jan 11 2018Grandal and the Dodgers avoided arbitration by agreeing on a one-year, $7.9 million contract Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.Despite the two parties agreeing on a contract for next season, it's still unclear where Grandal stands with the Dodgers' brass at this point. The backstop served as the team's starting catcher for most of the season, but his second-half struggles saw the hot-hitting Austin Barnes step into the starting role down the stretch. Still, Grandal hit a respectable .247/.308/.459 with 22 homers in 482 plate appearances (129 games), and given the fact that Barnes can play other positions, he should see his fair share of starts behind the dish, especially against right-handed pitching.
Oct 19 2017Grandal is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the NLCS against the Cubs on Thursday.Grandal will head to the bench for the fourth time in this series as Austin Barnes is set to catch Clayton Kershaw and bat seventh in the lineup. Over the course of the postseason, Grandal is just 0-for-5 at the plate, with three walks and two strikeouts.
Oct 17 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS against the Cubs on Tuesday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.Grandal is 0-for-7 in his career against Kyle Hendricks -- including an 0-for-3 performance in last year's NLCS -- so he'll open Game 3 on the bench as Austin Barnes draws another start behind the dish in his stead.
Oct 15 2017Grandal is out of the lineup for Game 2 of the NLCS against the Cubs on Sunday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.Austin Barnes will serve as the Dodgers' backstop for the second consecutive day while Grandal sits out. Grandal has appeared in just one game during the 2017 postseason, in which he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Oct 14 2017Grandal is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.Austin Barnes will draw in behind the plate to catch Clayton Kershaw as the Dodgers begin the NLCS. The Dodgers are facing left-hander Jose Quintana, which could also have attributed to Grandal's absence from the lineup given his .233 average against southpaws this season.
Oct 9 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks on Monday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal will stick on the bench for a second straight game as Austin Barnes draws another start behind the dish. Grandal went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts in his only postseason start this season, while Barnes has gone 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored, so it appears manager Dave Roberts is choosing to ride with the hotter bat.
Oct 7 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.Grandal is hitting just .233 in 86 at-bats against southpaws this season -- compared to his .250 average against right-handed pitchers -- so he'll head to the bench as righty-hitting Austin Barnes draws the start against lefty Robbie Ray. Barnes will start behind the dish and bat seventh in his stead Saturday, though Grandal will likely be back in the starting lineup for Game 3.
Sep 27 2017Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal has homered twice in the past three games, but he'll get the day off after starting five of the last six contests behind the dish. Austin Barnes will take over as the team's backstop in his stead, batting seventh.
Sep 27 2017Grandal went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's win over the Padres.Grandal -- who has been splitting time this month with Austin Barnes -- homered for the second time over the past three games, trying to keep a leg up over his backup as the Dodgers begin figuring out their starting lineup for an upcoming postseason run. The competition has actually sparked both catchers' bats, creating enough fantasy value for both to be rostered despite neither truly holding an everyday role.
Sep 25 2017Grandal went 1-for-1 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Giants.Grandal has fallen into a timeshare with fellow catcher Austin Barnes over the past week, but he managed to club two homers over four starts, bringing his season total up to 21, good for fourth among all major-league backstops. Even with a slightly reduced role, the veteran catcher is still worthy of fantasy consideration for the final week of the regular season.
Sep 23 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal will get the day off after starting three of the last four games behind the dish for the Dodgers, going 2-for-11 with a homer over that stretch. In his place, Austin Barnes will start at catcher and bat sixth.
Sep 20 2017Grandal is out of the lineup against the Phillies on Wednesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal gets the day off following a 1-for-3 performance with a solo home run during Tuesday's game. Austin Barnes will handle the catching duties while batting sixth in the order.
Sep 19 2017Grandal went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 6-2 loss at Philadelphia.Grandal opened the scoring with a third-inning solo shot to left, taking advantage of Citizens Bank Park's league-leading 1.4 home run park factor. He also demonstrated a patient approach against talented right-hander Aaron Nola, tying for a team high with 17 pitches faced. The catcher has now reached the 20-homer mark in consecutive seasons.
Sep 18 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Despite going 1-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's contest, Grandal is still hitting an awful .054/.200/.135 in 45 plate appearances this month, so he'll head to the bench as he continues to split time with Austin Barnes behind the dish. Barnes will start and bat fifth in his stead.
Sep 16 2017Grandal is out of Saturday's lineup against the Nationals, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal, who is hitting .029/.171/.118 in 34 at-bats this month, continues to lose out on playing time amid this brutal slump. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and hit seventh, and it would seem like there will be a pretty even timeshare at catcher going forward.
Sep 13 2017Grandal is out of Wednesday's lineup agains the Giants, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.He is hitting just .033/.189/.133 with one home run and 16 strikeouts in 30 September at-bats. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and hit sixth.
Sep 10 2017Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Grandal has failed to reach base over the Dodgers last four games (12 plate appearances). Grandal will sit out Sunday while Austin Barnes starts at catcher and hits fifth.
Sep 8 2017Grandal is out of the lineup Friday against the Rockies.Grandal has started three consecutive games behind the dish, over which he's gone 1-for-12 and struck out five times. He'll get the night off as Austin Barnes is set to hit seventh and serve as the Dodgers' backstop.
Sep 6 2017Grandal went 1-for-4 with his 19th home run of the season in a 3-1 loss to Arizona on Tuesday.It was a successful return to the lineup for the 28-year-old backstop after he was given Monday off. Grandal continues to see the majority of starts against right-handed starters, providing mixed-league value with a .257/.311/.470 slash line through 419 plate appearances.
Sep 4 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal will head to the bench against southpaw Robbie Ray after starting four of the last five games behind the dish. In his place, Austin Barnes will start at backstop, batting fifth.
Sep 2 2017Grandal is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal heads to the bench after starting seven of the past eight games behind the plate. Austin Barnes draws the assignment for Saturday's afternoon contest.
Aug 30 2017Grandal is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Diamondbacks.After starting the last five games, Grandal takes a seat against southpaw Robbie Ray. Austin Barnes gets the start behind the dish, hitting seventh.
Aug 24 2017Grandal went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Pirates.The 28-year-old has been on a power surge lately, smacking four homers in his last seven games to bring his total to 18. Grandal has historically been a low-average player, but thanks to the power, he's well on his way toward finishing as a top-seven catcher for the second straight season.
Aug 23 2017Grandal's lone hit in five at-bats was a two-run blast in Tuesday's win over the Pirates.The 28-year-old has been flashing his power stroke lately with two doubles and three homers over his last six starts. Grandal continues to sit against southpaws and in day games following night games, but he has produced well enough (.262 batting average and 17 long balls) in a semi-regular role to remain relevant in most fantasy formats.
Aug 23 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Grandal will have the night off while Austin Barnes gets the nod to start behind the dish. Grandal will likely rejoin the Dodgers' lineup for their series finale against Chad Kuhl and the Pirates.
Aug 20 2017Grandal went 1-for-3 with walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Tigers.The 28-year-old got off to a slow start in the month of August (.184/.295/.421 in 11 games), but he has picked things up in the power department over his last four contests with a double and two homers. Grandal now has 16 home runs on the campaign, and while his 7.4 walk rate is well below last year's 14.0 percent mark, he has replaced those free passes with base hits (.264 batting average compared to .228 last season). He will continue to see regular starts behind the dish against right-handed pitchers down the stretch.
Aug 20 2017Grandal is out of Sunday's lineup against the Tigers, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.He has started five of the last six games, but will take a seat in the day game. Austin Barnes, who will start behind the dish and hit eighth against righty Justin Verlander, leads all big-league catchers (minimum 100 plate appearances) with a 148 wRC+.
Aug 16 2017Grandal is out of Wednesday's lineup against the White Sox, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.While Grandal is a switch hitter, the Dodgers will flood the lineup with righties against southpaw Carlos Rodon. Austin Barnes starts behind the dish and will hit sixth.
Aug 13 2017Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Padres.Sunday's homer was a positive sign for the veteran after he dealt with a minor back injury earlier in the week. This could also signal an end to the streaky catcher's cold streak in which he batted .194 (7-for-36) over his previous 10 starts. Despite his ebbs and flows, Grandal is putting together another solid fantasy campaign with a .263/.313/.471 slash line to go along with 14 homers.
Aug 11 2017Grandal is out of the starting lineup against San Diego for Friday's game, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.It's the second consecutive off night for Grandal, as the Dodgers again decide to go with Barnes behind the plate and have him bat seventh. While the month is still young, Grandal has only hit 3-for-22 and with ten strikeouts. His playing time is probably not at risk, his struggles are worth monitoring in the upcoming days as the season heads towards the playoffs.
Aug 10 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against Arizona, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.Grandal will receive a standard day off after starting the first two games of this series, going 1-for-7 with a double during his time at the dish. In his place, Austin Barnes draws the start, batting seventh.
Aug 8 2017Grandal (back) is starting behind the dish and hitting fifth Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.As expected, Grandal is back in action after missing one game with a sore back. He is hitting .279/.311/.519 with eight home runs over his last 129 at-bats.
Aug 8 2017Manager Dave Roberts said he expects Grandal (back) to start in Tuesday's series opener against the Diamondbacks, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.Grandal ended up sitting out Sunday's win over the Mets after he was pulled early in the previous contest with back spasms. The day out of the lineup plus Monday's off day is expected to be all that Grandal needs to heal up, so if he's in fact included in the starting nine Tuesday, he should represent a safe fantasy option during the Dodgers' six-game week.
Aug 6 2017Grandal (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.Grandal was removed from Saturday's game with back spasms and will be held out Sunday in order to give the veteran backstop ample time to rest. The Dodgers have a scheduled off-day Monday before opening up a three-game set with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Grandal will remain day-to-day while Austin Barnes will fill in behind the plate in his stead, batting sixth.
Aug 5 2017Grandal left Saturday's game against the Mets with back spasms, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal lasted seven innings in Saturday's win, going 1-for-4 with a double before he was replaced behind the plate by Austin Barnes. The team may let him rest for Sunday's series finale prior to Monday's conveniently-timed travel day, but expect a more succinct evaluation by the team in due time.
Aug 3 2017Grandal is out of the lineup against the Braves on Thursday.Grandal receives a day off after two straight starts behind the plate, going 1-for-8 with five strikeouts during those games. In his place, Austin Barnes draws the assignment of catching Alex Wood, while batting sixth.
Jul 30 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Giants, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal has seven hits in his past 20 at-bats (.350), but given his decline of production against lefties during the past couple of seasons, he'll hit the bench for a night off. Austin Barnes will slot in behind the plate in his stead.
Jul 28 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Giants, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.Grandal started the past three games behind the dish, so he'll head to the bench for a night off. Austin Barnes will replace him for the evening, batting sixth.
Jul 24 2017Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and two strikeouts in Monday's 6-4 win over the Twins.Grandal's 14 home runs in 81 games show that his power hasn't gone anywhere, but he has certainly been less patient this season. The catcher's 6.8 percent walk rate is way down from his career 13.1 percent mark, while his 24.8 percent strikeout rate hasn't changed much from the usual 23.1 percent. The drop in OBP has been bearable thanks to a .327 BABIP that's well above Grandal's career .284 mark, but it could start dropping heavily down the stretch if more of his swings start finding fielders.
Jul 23 2017Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Braves.Grandal is 8-for-24 at the plate since the All-Star break, and is the owner of three consecutive multi-hit games. He'll be rewarded for his efforts with a day off, giving way to Austin Barnes behind the plate.
Jul 20 2017Grandal went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double during Thursday's loss to Atlanta.The backstop continues to post solid numbers and is now up to a .266/.318/.482 slash line with 13 homers, 39 RBI and 31 runs. Hitting in the stacked Dodgers lineup helps Grandal's fantasy floor, and he projects to remain a go-to option.
Jul 19 2017Grandal 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.
Jul 16 2017Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins.Grandal started the first two games of the series, but will take a seat for the finale against left-handed pitcher Chris O'Grady. Austin Barnes will man the backstop in his stead.
Jul 15 2017Grandal went 1-for-5 with a three-run homer on Saturday against the Marlins.Grandal launched his 12th homer of the campaign as part of a five-run third inning that led the Dodgers to a road victory. His .267 batting average is at its highest level since his rookie year, and he's been a solid lineup option at the catcher position, as he also has a .474 slugging percentage.
Jul 14 2017Grandal (hand) is back behind the plate for Friday's game against the Marlins, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Grandal wound up missing the final game before the All-Star break due to a minor left hand contusion that he suffered during Saturday's contest against the Royals. With the rest coming at a good time for the 28-year-old, he was able to recover without missing much time and is back in the seventh spot of the order while catching Brandon McCarthy on Friday.
Jul 9 2017Manager Dave Roberts stated that the X-rays on Grandal's injured hand came back negative and he expects him to be ready for Friday's matchup with the Marlins, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.Grandal suffered a minor hand contusion Saturday, so he was given the day off Sunday in the Dodgers' final game of the first half. The extra rest from the All-Star break coupled with the positive X-ray results should be enough rest for the 28-year-old to resume his role as the club's starting catcher. Grandal is slashing .267/.319/.469 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 280 plate appearances this year.
Jul 9 2017Grandal (hand) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.Grandal was removed from Saturday's game with a left hand contusion, but is available off the bench if needed, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate in the meantime.
Jul 8 2017Grandal was removed from Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.He was talking with the team trainer and was replaced by Austin Barnes behind the plate. We'll provide an update on Grandal when more information is made available.
Jul 8 2017Grandal left Saturday's game with a left hand contusion, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.The backstop was talking with a trainer before it was revealed that Austin Barnes replaced him. Grandal may not be an option for the Dodgers' Sunday lineup, as the club will probably want to rest him with the All-Star break approaching.
Jul 6 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks.Grandal has been hot as of late, collecting three extra-base hits and four RBI in the past three games, but he'll head to the bench for a night off. Austin Barnes will collect a start behind the dish to replace him.
Jul 2 2017Grandal returned to the starting lineup Sunday after a two-day layoff, going 1-for-4 with his 11th home run of the season in a loss to the Padres.Austin Barnes' two-homer, seven-RBI performance Friday earned the backup another start on Saturday, but Grandal reminded manager Dave Roberts why he is the Dodgers' top offensive catcher with a solo blast Sunday. It is worth noting that his bomb came against the left-handed Ryan Buchter, just his second homer off of a southpaw this season. Barnes may have earned an extra start per week while his bat is hot, but Grandal is still the catcher to own from a fantasy perspective.
Jul 1 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal will get a second day off while manager Dave Roberts rides the hot bat of Austin Barnes. Barnes plated seven runners during Friday's victory, going 2-for-5 with two home runs and two runs. Grandal is likely to be back in the lineup for Sunday's finale with Kenta Maeda on the mound.
Jun 30 2017Grandal is out of the lineup for Friday's game, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.Grandal gets a standard day off following two straight starts against the Angels. In his place, Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate while batting sixth.
Jun 29 2017Grandal went 2-for-3 with a solo home run during Wednesday's loss to the Angels.Grandal's bomb tied the game in the top of the ninth inning, but unfortunately, the Angels walked it off in the bottom half. The backstop sports a .268/.322/.464 slash line with 10 homers, 30 RBI and 28 runs and should remain a rock-solid option in the majority of fantasy settings.
Jun 27 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Angels, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.Grandal will head to the bench for a breather after starting three consecutive games for the Dodgers. Austin Barnes will draw his third start in the last six contests in his stead.
Jun 23 2017Grandal remains out of the lineup Friday against the Rockies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.There has been nothing to suggest an injury is in play, so it seems Grandal's second consecutive absence is simply due to the fact that the Dodgers are facing a second straight southpaw (Kyle Freeland). Grandal, a switch-hitter, is batting just .204/.278/.306 against left-handed pitching so far this season, while Austin Barnes is batting .289/.372/.553 against lefties.
Jun 22 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Despite knocking three homers over the last two games, Grandal will head to the bench for Thursday's series finale. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish for him, while Grandal should be back in action Friday against the Rockies.
Jun 21 2017Grandal smashed a pair of solo homers in four at-bats against the Mets on Wednesday.The powerful backstop's turned his slugging back on, as he has three homers in the last two games. If he's kicking around on your waiver wire, jump on the train and ride this hot streak.
Jun 20 2017Grandal went 3-for-5 with his seventh homer and a pair of runs against the Mets on Tuesday.He got his piece of a 12-0 rout, highlighted by that fifth-inning homer -- Grandal's first long ball since June 2. In his 12 games between then and Tuesday, Grandal went just 8-for-48 (.167) with 17 strikeouts, so this game was a welcome departure from his recent returns. Of course, he's always been a streaky hitter; perhaps this is the kickoff of a hot stretch.
Jun 18 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal has been in a bit of a funk at the plate recently, with just two hits and six strikeouts in his previous 17 at-bats. He'll get the day off Sunday with Austin Barnes filling in behind the plate.
Jun 15 2017Grandal is not in the Dodgers' Thursday lineup against the Indians, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.The backstop will get an off day with Austin Barnes taking his place. Grandal should be back in action Friday. He's cooled off a little after a nice start to the year, batting .264/.321/.431 with six home runs in 216 plate appearances.
Jun 5 2017Grandal is out of the lineup Monday against the Nationals, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.He has caught the last three games and is hitting .179 with a 42.9 percent strikeout rate over his last seven games. Grandal is very streaky, but the overall performance is typically excellent by catcher standards. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and hit sixth in his place.
Jun 3 2017Grandal went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the Brewers.The catcher's ninth-inning home run extended the game and allowed the Dodgers to win in extras. It was just Grandal's sixth long ball of the season, putting him on pace to finish closer to the mid-teen power we were used to prior to his 27-homer outburst last season. The decreased power has been offset by a .282 batting average, but that is being inflated by a career-high .351 BABIP. Assuming his average dips back down to its usual low-200 level and his power isn't what was expected, Grandal will still hold standard-league value based on the general lack of productive options at the catcher position.
Jun 1 2017Grandal is not in the Dodgers' lineup Thursday against the Cardinals, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.The backstop will get a breather in the matinee, with Austin Barnes replacing him behind the plate. When he likely returns to action Friday, Grandal will look to continue his hot May, during which he scalded the baseball at a .337/.374/.523 pace with two home runs and 16 RBI in 91 plate appearances.
May 28 2017Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cubs.Grandal has appeared in the starting lineup in seven straight games -- his longest such stretch all season -- so it was likely time for a routine maintenance day. Austin Barnes will man the backstop in his stead.
May 27 2017Grandal went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and a walk in Friday's 4-0 win over the Cubs.Grandal's sixth-inning two-bagger drove home Corey Seager in the fourth and was the slugging backstop's 16th RBI of May. The 28-year-old has been knocking the cover off the ball during the month, as Friday's production brought his May line to .362/.405/.594. He's been making impactful contact as well, with Friday's double representing his 12th extra-base hit of the month.
May 22 2017Grandal went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Marlins.Two of his hits on the day were doubles, and he's now sporting a .299/.362/.469 slash line. He's only had two games in May where he didn't collect a hit, so LA's backstop is certainly in the midst of one of his hot streaks. Grandal's propensity to strike out and go on long cold stretches means he's unlikely to keep such a high average all season, but he's of the more attractive power bats at his position in a strong lineup. Enjoy his hot streak while it lasts.
May 19 2017Grandal is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.The 28-year-old will get what looks like a routine breather after starting back-to-back games and four of the last five. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish and bat fifth against lefty Justin Nicolino. Grandal has hit safely in each of his last 10 starts, raising his average more than 70 points over that span.
May 17 2017Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run double in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Giants.That two-bagger came in the first inning against Johnny Cueto, and it provided all the scoring the Dodgers would need in this game. Grandal has hit safely in each of his last nine starts, and when you add in his pinch-hitting appearances, he's sporting a spectacular .425 average with a dozen RBI over his last 11 games. He's third among catchers in RBI with 20 and fourth at the position in batting average (among those who qualify for the league lead) at .287.
May 16 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Austin Barnes will step in behind the dish as Grandal sits following back-to-back starts. With hits in nine straight games, and 16 hits in total so far in May, Grandal has raised his average nearly 90 points (to .291) since the end of April. Expect Grandal to return to the lineup for Thursday's series finale.
May 14 2017Grandal went 3-for-4 with an RBI in a 9-6 loss to the Rockies on Sunday.Grandal has been unconscious at the plate of late, batting .462 (18-for-29) with 10 RBI over his last 10 contests, raising his season average to .292 in the process. While the hot streak has definitely pleased his owners, the streaky catcher hasn't reproduced the tremendous power he displayed last season. His current 16.0 HR/FB ratio is closer to his 17.8 percent career mark, so 15-20 homers may be a more realistic expectation as opposed to the 27 homers we saw last year (25.2 HR/FB).
May 13 2017Grandal isn't in the lineup for Saturday's outing against Colorado, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal's batting average against lefties is sitting at a subpar .143 this season. With Tyler Anderson, a southpaw, starting for the Rockies, Grandal will give way to Austin Barnes behind the dish.
May 11 2017Grandal is not in Thursday's lineup against the Rockies, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.Grandal has been hitting the ball very well lately. He's started three consecutive game and gone 8-for-13 with five RBI over that span. However, he'll get the night off while Austin Barnes starts behind the dish.
May 10 2017Grandal went 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored, a walk, and an RBI in Wednesday's win over Pittsburgh.It's been an extremely productive week for Grandal. He finished the series against Pittsburgh 8-for-13, including a pair of three-hit games and 5 RBI. The 28-year old catcher is now slashing .268/.345/.454 on the season.
May 10 2017Grandal stayed hot at the plate Tuesday, going 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in a 4-3 win over the Pirates.After a slow start to the season, Grandal has picked things up of late, batting .370 (10-for-27) with a homer and six RBI over his last six contests. The switch-hitting catcher has proven to be a streaky hitter in the past and he appears to be locked in at the plate right now.
May 8 2017Grandal went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 12-1 win over Pittsburgh.Grandal slugged two Opening Day home runs but hasn't done a whole lot since, and he's slashing only .225/.307/.382. The switch-hitting backstop is known as a streaky hitter, though, and although he doesn't make consistent contact, he remains one of the more attractive fantasy catchers because of his 20-homer potential.
May 6 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against the Padres, David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports reports.Grandal has collected hits in back-to-back games, but he'll head to the bench as Austin Barnes gets the start behind the dish. He's slashing just .214/.302/.369 with three homers through 26 games this season.
May 2 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Giants, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal will head to the bench as Austin Barnes gets the nod against southpaw Matt Moore. The switch-hitting backstop is slashing just .213/.310/.387 through 24 games this season, and should find himself back in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale.
Apr 30 2017Grandal went 3-for-4 with his fourth double of the season and a run scored in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Phillies.Grandal has mostly gone downhill after his two-homer game on Opening Day, but Sunday's performance marked his first three-hit game of the season and helped him raise his average to .225. The 28-year-old's 30-homer power makes him a top-10 fantasy catcher, but you'll also have to put up with prolonged slumps and a low average. His fantasy owners are hoping his three-hit day Sunday will spark him going forward.
Apr 27 2017Grandal is not in the Dodgers' Thursday lineup against the Giants, , Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Austin Barnes takes his place against southpaw Matt Moore. It's also probably a day off in the afternoon game for the starting backstop. Grandal should be back in action Friday.
Apr 25 2017Grandal was slotted fourth in the lineup Monday, going 0-for-4 in a 2-1 loss to the Giants.In a surprising move, manager Dave Roberts slotted his catcher ahead of Adrian Gonzalez in the batting order. Grandal had gone 1-for-6 against Matt Cain prior to Monday's game, so the move doesn't appear to be a matchup play. The 28-year-old's .442 slugging percentage (over 100 points higher than Gonzalez's) may have something to do with the lineup shift. We will have to see if this lineup shift sticks past Monday, as it would be a boon to Grandal's fantasy value.
Apr 23 2017Grandal went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.Sunday's homer was just the switch-hitting catcher's fifth extra-base hit of the season and first long ball since going deep twice in the season opener. That said, with a .250 batting average and three homers, fantasy owners should have little to complain about from the catcher position.
Apr 22 2017Grandal is out of Saturday's lineup against the Diamondbacks, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.Grandal is a switch-hitter, but the Dodgers are going with right-handed Austin Barnes behind the dish in a lineup that includes just one left-handed hitter (Joc Pederson) against southpaw Robbie Ray. Grandal is hitting .250/.377/.432 with two home runs through 44 at-bats.
Apr 18 2017Grandal is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Rockies, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate, pushing Grandal to the bench following back-to-back starts. Grandal has hit safely in each of his last four starts, but he's managed just one extra-base hit in 32 at-bats since his two-homer game on Opening Day.
Apr 15 2017Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports reports.After starting the last four games, Grandal will head to the bench as Austin Barnes takes over behind the dish. Although the day off comes against a southpaw, manager Dave Roberts is expected to continue to deploy Grandal in a more traditional role rather than a strict platoon.
Apr 11 2017Grandal reached base three times Monday, going 2-for-3 with a walk in a loss to the Cubs.Manager Dave Roberts has stuck to his word and has been using Grandal in a more-traditional role, giving him regular rest on day games following night games as opposed to a strict platoon where he sits against lefties. Monday's start came against the Cubs' southpaw, Jon Lester, and the switch-hitting catcher came through with a solid offensive line. Grandal is batting just .200 (4-for-20) early on, but with two home runs and three walks through six games, he is doing a great job of replicating his breakout 2016 season.
Apr 9 2017Grandal is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.With Grandal sitting out Sunday's afternoon contest, reserve catcher Austin Barnes will draw the start behind the plate. Expect Grandal to be back in the lineup Monday against the Cubs.
Apr 6 2017Grandal is not in the Dodgers' lineup Thursday against the Padres, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.The backstop is resting on this getaway day contest, yielding to Austin Barnes, who's batting eighth. Grandal should rejoin the starters Friday at Coors Field against the Rockies.
Apr 3 2017Grandal went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI during Monday's 14-3 win over the Padres.Grandal followed Joc Pederson's grand slam with a solo homer to right in the third inning and capped off the scoring with a shot to left from the other side of the plate in the eighth. He slugged a career-high 27 homers in just 390 at-bats last year and seems to have picked up right where he left off in 2017.
Mar 14 2017Grandal went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League win over the Reds.The 28-year-old is locked in at the plate during exhibition play, slashing an impressive .433/.469/1.035 in 32 plate appearances. In addition to adopting a meatless offseason diet, Grandal focused on improved his approach from the right side of the plate, something that limited him to bench role against left-handed starting pitchers in 2016. Manager Dave Roberts already committed to making the switch-hitting catcher the Dodgers' primary option behind the dish against both righties and lefties this season, leaving the door open for a potential improvement over last year's 27 homers and 72 RBI.
Feb 24 2017Grandal worked on hitting right-handed in the offseason, having recovered from knee and shoulder injuries in recent years that have hindered his ability to conquer left-handed pitching, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.The switch-hitter, who also has adopted a meatless diet this offseason, said he was struggling to "sit back (on his right leg) and turn on it" when he was in the righty box, and after his 2013 knee injury, he hit just one home run in his next 126 at-bats there. According to Plunkett, the 28-year-old's launch angle as a right-handed hitter last year was 7.7 degrees, nearly only half of the 14 as a lefty, and it produced a 53.6 percent groundball rate from the right side. Already one of the most intriguing fantasy hitters among catchers, Grandal, who launched 27 home runs last year, could soar into elite territory if he can refine that part of his plate work, which would give him a useful batting average (unlike his career .238 mark). He'll be in high demand during the middle rounds of a mixed draft, especially in OBP variations.
Feb 17 2017Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Grandal will be the Dodgers' primary starting catcher against both lefties and righties, as opposed to platooning with another player Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.Coming off a season in which he hit a career-high 27 home runs, the Dodgers will be hoping Grandal can continue to establish himself as an all-star-caliber catcher in his third full season with the team. The 28-year-old recently avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal this offseason. If he can stay healthy, Grandal could be in for a stellar offensive season.
Jan 13 2017Grandal and the Dodgers avoided arbitration with a one-year, $5.5 million deal, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Despite playing hurt for much of the year, Grandal still managed to post a career-high .477 slugging percentage. He hit at an elite level when healthy, slashing .287/.410/.622 in the months of June and July, but the problem with him going forward is that he often isn't healthy. That aside, he remains a power bat with top pitch-framing skills behind the plate, so he'll get a pay raise of almost $3 million in his second round of arbitration.
Oct 20 2016Grandal is not in the lineup Thursday for the Dodgers' Game 5 NLCS tilt with the Cubs.Grandal has acted as the primary catcher for Los Angeles during the postseason, but given his poor .111 batting line during the playoffs, the Dodgers will give him the night off. Carlos Ruiz will slot into the lineup behind the plate in his stead.
Sep 30 2016Grandal is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.Grandal will come off the bench for the second straight day with the Dodgers facing another left-hander. Carlos Ruiz will receive another start behind the plate Friday night.
Sep 29 2016Grandal is not listed in Thursday's starting lineup against the Padres, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.Carlos Ruiz is suiting up in his place as the talented young catcher is likely just receiving a break before the weekend series. Look for him again Friday.
Sep 23 2016Grandal went 4-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a double and five RBI in Thursday's win over the Rockies.Grandal was the hero Thursday, as he launched a solo home run to start the Dodgers' comeback after going down early, and smacked a grand slam in the seventh inning that gave his team the lead for good. Grandal has had a career year in 2016, as he has now set personal bests in hits (86), homers (27), RBI (69) and slugging percentage (.491).
Sep 19 2016Grandal (elbow) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.Grandal will return to action Monday after missing the last couple games with his elbow injury. He will be behind the plate and hit seventh in the Dodgers' batting order.
Sep 18 2016Grandal (elbow) is not in the lineup Sunday against Arizona, Andy McCullough of the LA Times reports.Grandal will sit for the second straight day as he continues to battle soreness in his right elbow, an ailment that's plagued him for much of the season. The expectation seems to be that Grandal will continue to play through the discomfort down the stretch, but he could require periodic rest.
Sep 17 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday due to lingering soreness in his right elbow, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.This is the first word of any arm troubles for Grandal since April, but manager Dave Roberts suggested this issue has been bothering Grandal for awhile. There has been no indication that Grandal won't be able to continue playing through the discomfort, but it seems the injury may be affecting his performance at the plate (.191 average this month).
Sep 17 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks.Veteran Carlos Ruiz will take over behind the plate to catch for Brock Stewart, pushing Grandal to the bench following three straight starts. Grandal has smacked four homers in September and ranks second among catchers with 25 on the year (behind Evan Gattis), but he's hitting at just a .191 clip this month.
Sep 13 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees.Grandal will take another day off after only collecting two hits over the past four games. Carlos Ruiz will take over behind the plate for the evening.
Sep 7 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.The Dodgers are clearly loading Wednesday's lineup with righties against southpaw Robbie Ray, as lefties have give them trouble all season long. To that end, Carlos Ruiz will start behind the dish and hit sixth Wednesday.
Sep 4 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Padres.Grandal will take a seat after catching three straight games, giving way to Austin Barnes behind the plate. Barnes is much more familiar with Sunday's starter, Jose De Leon, as the two paired up frequently in the minors this season.
Aug 31 2016Grandal is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader in Coors Field, the Los Angeles Times' Andy McCullough reports.Grandal likely wasn't going to catch both games Wednesday, so with him sitting out the day game, his owners should expect him back for the nightcap. Carlos Ruiz will start behind the dish and hit seventh in Game 1.
Aug 31 2016Grandal went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, an RBI and three runs against the Rockies on Wednesday.He'd been in a five-game skid, going 0-for-11 in that span, but Grandal's doing a good job avoiding a repeat of the lengthy slump that he endured in May and June. In the meantime, he's offered elite power production at catcher, socking 21 homers, and although his 55 RBI don't send hearts racing, they actually rank eighth at his position.
Aug 30 2016Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies.Grandal went 0-for-9 with four strikeouts over his last three starts, and the Dodgers will take on left-hander Tyler Anderson on Tuesday, so manager Dave Roberts decided to hold him out. Carlos Ruiz will get the start behind the plate in Grandal's place.
Aug 27 2016Grandal is in Saturday's lineup against the Cubs.After a routine day off Friday, Grandal is back in the starting lineup Saturday, sending Carlos Ruiz back to the bench.
Aug 26 2016Grandal is out of Friday's lineup against the Cubs.The newly-acquired Carlos Ruiz will start behind the plate as Grandal sits out. Grandal owns a batting average of just .231 for the season and is just 9-for-45 over the last 14 days, so it's highly likely that he'll see much less time in the lineup moving forward, now that Ruiz is a Dodger.
Aug 20 2016Grandal is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.A.J. Ellis will take over behind the plate, affording Grandal a day to rest his legs after five consecutive starts. Grandal has rewarded patient fantasy owners after a rough first three months of the season, as he's totaled 14 home runs since the calendar flipped to July. He's tied with Jonathan Lucroy for the most home runs among catchers (20).
Aug 17 2016Grandal picked up three hits Tuesday, including a two-run home run, to go along with a walk, three RBI and three runs scored in the Dodgers' 15-5 win over the Phillies.Grandal has been absolutely on fire lately, hitting .330/.454/.742 with 12 home runs in his past 30 games. He now has 19 homers on the year, a career-high already. Grandal's full-season batting average remains at just .234, but the switch-hitting catcher could certainly help many fantasy teams if he's still available in your league.
Aug 13 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday against the Pirates.The Dodgers' starting catcher is hitting .284/.422/.612 with six home runs in 67 at-bats in the second half of the season. He will get Saturday's day game off after starting the last four games behind the dish. A.J. Ellis will start at catcher and hit eighth Saturday.
Aug 9 2016Grandal went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Tuesday's win over the Phillies.Grandal homered for the second straight contest, tying his career high in RBI with 49 on a two-run blast in the third inning. The slugging catcher has achieved that feat by driving in nine runs in his last seven games, so he's likely to top it substantially by season's end. Don't be surprised if his .236/.355/.492 line actually climbs down the stretch, as it's currently being held back by a career-low .257 BABIP.
Aug 8 2016Grandal went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo homer, a walk and three runs scored in Monday's 9-4 win over the Phillies.Grandal extended his hitting streak to eight games, with an impressive six extra-base hits, seven runs and eight RBI in that stretch. The homer gave the catcher a new career high of 17, having increased his total from 16 last season and 15 the year before that. With just two RBI needed to match his previous career high as well, the 27-year-old is undoubtedly having his best campaign to date at the dish.
Aug 6 2016Grandal is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Boston.After starting the last two games, Grandal will get a day off as A.J. Ellis fills in behind the plate and bats eighth. Grandal is in the midst of a six-game hit streak, going 9-for-22 (.409) with seven RBI in that span.
Aug 3 2016Grandal is not in the starting lineup for the Dodgers on Wednesday.A.J. Ellis will get the start behind the dish for the Dodgers at Coors Field on Wednesday. Grandal is swinging a hot bat over his last 10 games, hitting .313 with three home runs and six RBI in 32 at-bats. He should be back in the lineup on Thursday as the Dodgers face Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood.
Jul 31 2016Grandal went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, three RBI and three runs in the Dodgers' 14-3 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday.While Grandal hasn't hit a triple since 2014, he was just a triple short of the cycle Sunday, continuing his recent hot stretch and finishing July with a .324/.439/.691 batting line on the month. Grandal had been dreadful at the plate up until then, entering July hitting just .179. The Dodgers' catcher is finally starting to show why he was ranked fairly highly among preseason catcher ranks, and now has 15 home runs on the season, tied for the most among NL catchers. With the catcher position so thin, Grandal will be a valuable asset to fantasy owners if he continues putting up numbers like he has this past month.
Jul 27 2016Grandal is not in Wednesday's lineup against Tampa Bay, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.Grandal is just getting a normal day off, despite his recent power surge. A.J. Ellis will take over behind the plate and will bat eighth.
Jul 26 2016Grandal went 1-for-3 with his 14th home run of the season Tuesday against the Rays.That's eight homers in the past month for Grandal, who is just two shy of last season's career-high total. The recent power surge has raised the catcher's slugging percentage to .430, but a dismal .227 BABIP has suppressed his average to a meager .211 mark.
Jul 21 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Thursday against the Nationals, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal has started seven of the last eight games overall, but manager Dave Roberts won't allow him to start an early-afternoon game immediately following an evening contest. In his stead, A.J. Ellis will take over behind the plate to catch starter Julio Urias.
Jul 17 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.Dating back to before the All-Star break, Grandal has started a total of five consecutive games behind the plate. He'll get a regular rest day Sunday, giving way to backup A.J. Ellis.
Jul 10 2016Grandal 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.
Jul 8 2016Grandal went 5-for-5 with three home runs and Six RBI in Friday's win over the Padres.Grandal went deep in the first and third innings, accounting for five of his RBI, and he capped off the scoring with a 430-foot bomb to center in the seventh. Grandal had shockingly only delivered one multi-hit game since late April, but Friday's game raised his disappointing average 21 points to .204. His power has picked up as well, as six of his last nine hits have left the yard.
Jul 6 2016Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday, JP Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.Likely a routine day off for Grandal, who had caught the previous four games. AJ Ellis will be behind the plate for Wednesday's game.
Jul 2 2016Grandal is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies.A.J. Ellis will catch for starter Scott Kazmir with Grandal on the bench following back-to-back starts. It's been a struggle for Grandal through the first three months, to put it nicely, with the 27-year-old managing a .182/.293/.347 line in 58 games. The silver lining is that his ISO is just four points lower than his mark from a year ago and Grandal has been pretty unlucky on balls in play (.205 BABIP).
Jun 29 2016Grandal 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.
Jun 27 2016Grandal is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA reports.Grandal will be held out in favor of A.J. Ellis with the Dodgers loading up on right-handed hitters against Pirates southpaw Francisco Liriano. The Pirates will start another lefty Tuesday in Jon Niese, so Grandal could be limited to pinch-hit duty for a couple days in a row.
Jun 25 2016Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday against Pittsburgh.Grandal, having started the Dodgers' last four games behind the plate, will get a breather in place of A.J. Ellis who'll get his first start since June 19. While Grandal does have six RBI in his last six games, he's also only recorded one multi-hit game in his last 39 and has batted .150 during that time.
Jun 19 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Brewers, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.After starting three straight games behind the plate, Grandal will give way to backup A.J. Ellis for the afternoon contest. Ellis seems likely to draw a start Monday as well, as he typically catches ace Clayton Kershaw.
Jun 12 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants.Chalk it up as a regular day of rest for the Dodgers' primary backstop, who will give way to A.J. Ellis behind the plate for the evening contest. Even though he's back in action, Grandal has had a tough time at the dish of late, recording a .138/.240/.299 slash line since May 4.
Jun 8 2016Grandal is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Rockies.Grandal will not be in the starting lineup for the third time in the last five games, as the Dodgers will go with A.J. Ellis at catcher Wednesday. Both Ellis and Grandal are hitting less than .200 from the plate this season, but Grandal has especially struggled recently, with only 11 hits since the start of May.
Jun 6 2016Grandal is not in the lineup for Los Angeles' matchup with Colorado on Monday.Grandal is just getting a routine day off as he's started behind the dish the last three games. A.J. Ellis will get the start at catcher and bat eighth Monday. The 27-year-old will likely be back in the lineup Tuesday as the Dodgers do battle with Colorado's Julio Urias.
Jun 4 2016Grandal is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Braves.With Clayton Kershaw taking the hill Saturday, A.J. Ellis will take over catching duties in place of Grandal. The switch-hitting Grandal has struggled mightily at the dish over the past month, slashing a meager .113/.210/.268 with 23 strikeouts and nine walks.
Jun 1 2016Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Chicago.Grandal started the previous two games so it appears to be just a routine day off for him. The Dodgers are going with A.J. Ellis behind the plate in place of the 27-year-old catcher. Grandal, who hasn't recorded a multi-hit game since May 4, will likely be back in the lineup for Thursday's series-finale.
May 29 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets.The Dodgers tweeted an initial lineup featuring Grandal, but corrected their mistake shortly thereafter. It will be A.J. Ellis behind the plate for the evening contest, as it's typically Ellis who catches lefty Clayton Kershaw. Plus, Grandal had caught four straight games, so the timing was right for a routine day of rest.
May 24 2016Grandal (foot) is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds.A foot ailment cost Grandal a couple starts, but he will step back in behind the plate Tuesday to catch for starter Mike Bolsinger. The switch-hitter launched home runs in back-to-back games earlier this month, but he's been ice cold since, going 2-for-his-last-30 with 13 strikeouts.
May 23 2016Grandal (foot) is not in Monday's lineup against the Reds.Grandal is dealing with a foot injury, but apparently it's not severe enough to keep him from pinch hitting since he did so Sunday, although unsuccessfully. A.J. Ellis will start in place of Grandal on Monday.
May 22 2016Updating a previous report, Grandal appears to be dealing with a foot ailment, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.Despite the discomfort, Grandal is expected to be available off the bench if he's needed in a pinch-hit situation. Manager Dave Roberts will simply give him a break from regular catching duties, with the hope being that the break will help him return to full strength in the near future.
May 22 2016Grandal won't start Sunday against the Padres.Grandal will sit on getaway day Sunday in favor of A.J. Ellis, and it's possible that absence will extend through Monday with the Dodgers scheduled to face the left-handed Brandon Finnegan. Regardless, he remains the primary catcher despite batting just .196 on the season.
May 20 2016Grandal will get the start at first base for Friday's matchup with the Padres.Grandal will shift to first base, while A.J. Ellis handles duties behind the plate. He is 1-for-5 with a double in games started at first base this season. Expect him to return to catching duties Saturday.
May 17 2016Grandal is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels.Despite catching Clayton Kershaw last time he was scheduled to start, Grandal will head back to the bench and let A.J. Ellis get back to being the ace's personal catcher. Grandal has been on a bit of a cold streak as of late, going just 3-for-25 in his past seven games, but he'll likely be back in the lineup with some regularity considering Ellis' .204 average also leaves a lot to be desired.
May 13 2016Grandal is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.Manager Dave Roberts gave Grandal the nod over A.J. Ellis on Thursday because he liked the matchup for Grandal against Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon. It proved to be the right call, as Grandal drove in three of the Dodgers' five runs with a home run, his second in as many games and third of the year. Ellis will take over behind the dish Friday.
May 12 2016Grandal went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer against the Mets on Thursday.The first-inning blast provided more than enough offense for his battery mate, Clayton Kershaw, who spun a shutout. Grandal's now homered in consecutive games, and after a season-opening DL stint, he's pretty much delivering what's expected of him -- promising pop, good plate discipline and unimpressive batting average.
May 12 2016Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Mets.The homer, Grandal's second of the season, put the Dodgers up temporarily against flamethrower Noah Syndergaard. He's been slumping to begin May, but Grandal is still batting .250 with a .355 OBP, as he's been able to maintain a walk rate right around 15 percent. It would be nice to see Grandal loft the ball more consistently, but the power upside is still there, and that's not easy to find at the catcher position.
May 9 2016Grandal is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Mets.A.J. Ellis will get the nod behind the plate Monday as the Dodgers take on Mets lefty Steven Matz.
May 1 2016Grandal is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Padres, Andy McCullough of the LA Times reports.Grandal will sit in favor of A.J. Ellis, who is the typical catcher for Sunday's starter, Clayton Kershaw. Look for Grandal to be available as a late-game replacement if need be, or at the very least, to be used if a pinch-hit situation arises.
Apr 27 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Wednesday against Miami, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.The Dodgers are taking on lefthanded starter Justin Nicolino on Wednesday, which has resulted in the decision to start A.J. Ellis behind the plate. As a switch-hitter, Grandal is a far better hitter from the left side of the plate (.167 against lefties, .296 against righties), so Wednesday's matchup against Nicolino provides Los Angeles with an ideal opportunity to give Grandal a day off.
Apr 23 2016Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday, the Los Angeles Times' Andy McCullough reports.He is 4-for-8 over his last three games, with three walks also mixed in over that span, but after catching three straight games, the Dodgers will turn to A.J. Ellis behind the dish.
Apr 21 2016Grandal is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Braves, according to Andy McCullough of the LA Times.Grandal tallied two hits Wednesday for the third time in four games, but he will get a day off Thursday with Clayton Kershaw on the mound and the Dodgers and Braves playing an early afternoon affair. AJ Ellis, who regularly catches Kershaw's status, will do so again Thursday.
Apr 18 2016Grandal 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.
Apr 15 2016Grandal will sit out Friday's matchup with the Giants.The Dodgers used Thursday as an opportunity to give Grandal a day off, and as expected he will not return until Saturday. A.J. Ellis will continue catching for Clayton Kershaw, as he is expected to going forward this season.
Apr 14 2016Grandal is out of the lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Diamondbacks.After making his first start of the season Wednesday, Grandal will be replaced behind the plate by A.J Ellis for Thursday's series finale. Grandal went 0-for-3 with a walk Wednesday and might not be back in the lineup until Saturday given that Clayton Kershaw, who is starting Friday, is usually caught by Ellis.
Apr 13 2016Grandal will get the start at catcher Wednesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.After starting the season on the disabled list due to a forearm injury, Grandal will be making his first start of the year Wednesday. He'll immediately get the start behind the plate and he'll bat sixth in the order behind Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig. In his career, Grandal has collected two hits and two walks in six at-bats against Arizona starter Rubby De La Rosa.
Apr 12 2016Grandal (forearm) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports.Though he was expected to make his first start of the season Tuesday, Grandal is not in the lineup for the Dodgers' home opener. It's unclear at this point whether he'll be available off the bench as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement Tuesday, but A.J Ellis will serve as the Dodgers' backstop against the Diamondbacks.
Apr 12 2016Grandal was activated from the DL on Tuesday, Jack Baer of MLB.com reports.Both Howie Kendrick and Grandal were activated from the DL on Tuesday, and the Dodgers optioned Micah Johnson in a corresponding move. Scott Van Slyke was also placed on the DL with a back injury. The plan is for Grandal to sit out Tuesday's game but catch Wednesday against the D-Backs.
Apr 12 2016Grandal (forearm) finished his rehab stint Sunday and is expected to be activated for Tuesday's home opener against Arizona, the Los Angeles Times reports.The health of Scott Van Slyke (back) may ultimately determine the Dodgers' course of action to clear space on the roster for Grandal's return. Nevertheless, he's expected to be in the lineup Tuesday.
Apr 10 2016Grandal (forearm) went 0-for-2 and caught for six innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.Grandal was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City for a rehab assignment after starting the season on the disabled list. Holding up for six innings is a good indicator that he's ready to return to the major leagues, perhaps as early as Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Apr 10 2016Grandal (forearm) is scheduled to play one more rehabilitation game for Triple-A Oklahoma City before being activated for Tuesday's home opener against Arizona, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.Grandal was 2-for-2 on Saturday, and with A.J. Ellis (2-for-15) and Austin Barnes (1-for-10) both off to slow starts, Grandal's return to the lineup will be very welcome.
Apr 8 2016Grandal (forearm) caught eight innings and hit a game-tying home run in a rehab game at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday night. He finished 1-for-2 with a solo homer and a pair of walks.Although the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate lost in extra innings, that Grandal was able to make it through the bulk of a game behind the plate is a good sign. It's expected that he'll see additional game action in his rehab assignment before a potential return for the Dodgers' home opener Tuesday.
Apr 7 2016Grandal (forearm) is expected to be active by the Dodgers' home opener Tuesday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.The 27-year-old has been rehabbing in Triple-A Nashville, but manager David Roberts stated that he will likely join the team next Tuesday. Grandal had a lot of success against left-handed pitching in 2015 (.308 batting average), but will likely have to improve against right-handed pitching in order to stay in the every day lineup.
Apr 6 2016Grandal (forearm) will participate in a simulated game on Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group reports.This is in line with an expected return before April 12 for Grandal, so he should be good to go by the Dodgers' home opener barring any setbacks. His return will likely push Austin Barnes into the minors.
Apr 5 2016Grandal (forearm) caught a bullpen session Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.With the forearm holding up well to Tuesday's activity, Grandal has been cleared to play in a simulated game Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Grandal being ready for the team's April 12 home opener despite a slight setback with the injury last weekend. A.J. Ellis and Austin Barnes are splitting the workload in the meantime.
Apr 3 2016Grandal (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day DL, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.Grandal's placement on the DL confirms what had been reported earlier this weekend. While Grandal is on the shelf, look for A.J. Ellis to serve as the primary backstop, with Austin Barnes handling backup duties. Look for Grandal to target a return for their home opener April 12.
Apr 2 2016Grandal (forearm) will open the season on the disabled list, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.He came out of Friday feeling "OK" but "not great," according to manager Dave Roberts, and the decision was made to keep Grandal on the minor league side Saturday. Still with the ability to backdate a DL stint, the Dodgers can buy Grandal a little extra time to recover and look to get him back closer to 100 percent in time for their April 12 home opener. Roberts suggested the team could keep three catchers on the roster once Grandal's back from the DL.
Apr 2 2016Grandal (forearm) has been scratched from Saturday's game against the Angels and will instead play in a minor league game, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles New Group reports.Manager Dave Roberts said of Grandal, "He felt OK coming out of [Friday]. Not great." The skipper later admitted that the "window is closing" for Grandal to make the Opening Day roster. By keeping him on the minor league side, the team will have the option to backdate a DL stint at the start of the season.
Mar 31 2016Grandal (forearm) will catch in Saturday's game against the Angels after being able to play in a minor league game Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 reports.Grandal took a huge step in the right direction Thursday, blasting a home run and throwing out a baserunner in a minor league game. He's set to catch in the Dodgers' matchup with the Angels over the weekend and if he's able to make it through that game, he should be on pace to be on the Opening Day roster rather than the disabled list. This is a significant turnaround for Grandal given that there were reports as recent as last weekend suggesting that he could be starting the season on the DL.
Mar 30 2016Manager Dave Roberts said that Grandal (forearm) may play in a minor league game Thursday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.This is a nice development, as he's been out of game action for a bit over a week. Grandal is still expected to be present in Los Angeles for their exhibition game Saturday and be ready for Opening Day, and this development certainly makes those hopes much more realistic.
Mar 29 2016Manager Dave Roberts said Grandal (forearm) will be ready for Opening Day, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.Grandal will join his teammates in Anaheim on Saturday, and he should be ready for Monday's opener against Tyson Ross and the Padres. The Dodgers start the season with a seven-game week, but they'll be facing some tough pitchers at Petco Park and then AT&T Park. Grandal's health still bears watching, as he was previously expected to miss the first few games of the season.
Mar 28 2016Grandal (forearm) received clearance to throw and take "dry swings" Monday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.Grandal's tosses consisted of catching Scott Kazmir's (abdomen) bullpen session, which build upon mere defensive drills in recent days. With Grandal's absence from game action extending to within a week of Opening Day, the likelihood of a DL stint to begin the season grows significantly, but back-dating would result in his availability as soon as he's healthy in the initial stanzas of the coming campaign.
Mar 27 2016Grandal (forearm) has a chance to play catch and swing a bat as early as Monday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.Grandal is able to catch bullpen sessions at this time, and even participates in some defensive drills. That being said, the backstop has been doing all of those tasks without working in any throwing. If he's able to make that progression Monday, it would be a great sign, although Grandal remains scheduled to open the 2016 season on the disabled list.
Mar 26 2016Grandal (forearm) will likely start the season on the disabled list, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.While there is still hope that Grandal won't miss too much time once the season gets underway, his forearm injury will still likely land him on the disabled list to start the year. Grandal will be held out of baseball activities through at least the weekend and the expectation is for him to test out his forearm Monday. A.J Ellis figures to be the Dodgers' primary catcher with Grandal sidelined while Austin Barnes could serve as the backup for the time being.
Mar 25 2016Grandal (forearm) will be out through at least Monday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal has been battling a forearm injury all week and was even sent in for testing on the area on Tuesday. He continues to have his timetable pushed back, and Gurnick notes that Grandal's chances of being ready for Opening Day continue to grow smaller with each day that passes. This is certainly a concern for owners targeting Grandal later in drafts hoping that this is the year he cashes in on his upside with the Dodgers.
Mar 24 2016Grandal (forearm) was expected to return to the lineup Thursday but will still be held from swinging a bat or throwing for a "few days," Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.The Dodgers insist it's nothing major, but Grandal continues to struggle to get over this forearm issue. He was sent for additional tests earlier this week and nothing was detected, so hopefully a few more days of rest will be enough to get over it. If he's still struggling with this injury through the weekend, however, it will be time to start worrying.
Mar 22 2016Grandal has been sent for additional tests on his forearm, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.While Grandal said that he will play Thursday, the team has not yet confirmed a return date. Manager Dave Roberts said the lingering discomfort in Grandal's forearm is "disconcerting," and it seems the club wants to get a better idea of what the problem is exactly. Grandal recently suggested the soreness was the result overworking in the batting cages.
Mar 22 2016Grandal (forearm) will return to spring training action Thursday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal visited with a doctor Monday after experiencing soreness in his right forearm, but it appears the ailment was a relatively minor one. Barring any further setbacks once he returns to Cactus League games, the 27-year-old should be set to go for the start of the regular season as the club's starting catcher.
Mar 22 2016Grandal (forearm) had a doctor's appointment Monday, but the team has not revealed the extent of his injury and he'll be rested until at least Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reports.The same injury slowed Grandal earlier in camp, so the Dodgers may opt to take extra time now if they believe added rest will prevent the ailment from becoming a recurring problem throughout the year. A.J. Ellis will pick up extra playing time, along with Austin Barnes, if Grandal ends up on the shelf when the regular season begins.
Mar 21 2016Grandal was removed from Monday's Cactus League game due to a sore right forearm, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.Manager Dave Roberts relayed that this is the same forearm that forced Grandal to take some time off earlier this spring. While Grandal fits in another bout of rest, A.J. Ellis will serve as the Dodgers' backstop Tuesday, which will be followed be an off day. Once Thursday rolls around, the Dodgers will be apt to clarify Grandal's health, one way or another.
Mar 18 2016Grandal (arm) went 1-for-2 with a home run in Friday's spring training loss to Arizona. He's hitting .417 (5-for-12) in six games this spring.Grandal missed some time earlier in the week with a right arm contusion. He's returning from offseason shoulder surgery, but looks set to be ready for Opening Day.
Mar 11 2016Grandal is dealing with a right arm contusion and will receive several days off, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.Manager Dave Roberts said Grandal may be able to return to action Monday, so he will be held out through the weekend, and possibly beyond. However, given that he is dealing with only a bruise, his status for Opening Day should not be affected.
Feb 19 2016Grandal (shoulder) has healed from surgery and is under no limitations in spring training, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.If Grandal's shoulder is indeed 100 percent healthy, he could be positioned for a huge 2016. Before the first reports of his nagging shoulder problems in mid-August, Grandal had been hitting .285/.389/.489 with 15 home runs, making him one of the most valuable players on the Dodgers. In 96 plate appearances after the shoulder woes popped up, he hit a horrific .052/.229/.091. Whether or not Grandal is healthy throughout this season should at least be pretty obvious.
Jan 29 2016Grandal (shoulder) was cleared to swing from both sides of the plate Friday, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal continues to work his way back from left shoulder surgery, and clearance to swing certainly represents a step in the right direction. Fortunately, the left shoulder issue really only impacts the backstop in the batter's box, as he throws with his right hand like nearly every other catcher. Barring something unforeseen, the 27-year-old should be on track to serve as the Dodgers' primary catcher once again in 2016 despite an underwhelming second half in 2015.
Jan 15 2016Grandal agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Dodgers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.Grandal was the centerpiece of a trade that brought sent Matt Kemp to the Padres in 2014. While his first half of the season was promising, he tanked in the second half to finish with just a .234/.353/.403 batting line. Despite the downfall, he should once again serve as the Dodgers' primary catcher in 2016.
Oct 21 2015Grandal will have surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday, but is expected to be ready for spring training, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.Shoulders can be tricky (ask Matt Kemp), so we probably won't have much of a timetable until shortly after the surgery.
Oct 15 2015Grandal will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine whether or not he will need left shoulder surgery, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal had been dealing with a shoulder issue, but he played through it in Game 5. Even if he does require surgery, it seems unlikely the injury will impact his availability for the start of spring training next season.
Oct 15 2015Grandal (shoulder) is in the lineup Thursday for Game 5 against the Mets.Grandal wasn't able to start in Game 4 as he was dealing with a minor shoulder injury, however with the season on the line it looks like the 26-year-old will get the start against the Mets on Thursday. He will hit sixth in the order and take over behind the plate.
Oct 14 2015Manager Don Mattingly said Grandal (shoulder) is "50-50" to play in Game 5 of the NLDS on Thursday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.A left shoulder injury, suffered in Monday's Game 3, kept Grandal on the bench for Game 4 of the series, though it may have been a blessing in disguise as Clayton Kershaw and A.J. Ellis worked well together in the victory. Grandal was available to pinch-hit Tuesday and figures to serve in that capacity Thursday if he isn't cleared to return to the lineup.
Oct 13 2015Grandal is available to pinch-hit off the bench Tuesday in Game 4 of the NLDS, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.Grandal injured his left shoulder during Game 3 of the NLDS, however it doesn't appear to be a serious injury considering manager Don Mattingly did say he was available to hit if need be. A.J. Ellis will get the start behind the plate in his place and hit seventh in the order.
Oct 10 2015Grandal is in the lineup for Game 2 of the Dodgers' NLDS matchup with the Mets.Grandal will start Saturday after giving way to A.J. Ellis in Game 1. He will hit seventh in the order against Mets starter Noah Syndergaard.
Oct 4 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Padres, MLB.com reports.Unless Grandal logs a pinch-hitting appearance Sunday, he'll end the regular season in the midst of a 1-for-31 slump at the plate over his last 10 games. Expect the Dodgers to deploy Grandal in a timeshare with A.J. Ellis during the playoffs.
Sep 29 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez reports.As is usually the case, A.J. Ellis will get the start at catcher with Clayton Kershaw on the mound. Grandal should get a few more starts before the start of the postseason.
Sep 27 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.Grandal's second-half swoon continued in the first two games of the series, as he went 0-for-6 with two walks in those contests. The catcher's recent struggles have resulted in A.J. Ellis seeing increased starts behind the plate, and it's possible the two backstops may enter the postseason in a rough timeshare at the position.
Sep 24 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Thursday, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports.As is usually the case, A.J. Ellis will get the start at catcher and hit sixth Thursday with Clayton Kershaw on the mound.
Sep 22 2015Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.Grandal will get the night off with the Dodgers employing a righty-heavy lineup against Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray. A.J. Ellis will start behind the plate for the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
Sep 19 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday against the Pirates, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.The Dodgers are facing their fourth lefty starting pitcher in a row Saturday, which has resulted in Grandal hitting the bench for each contest. It seems like the catching platoon will continue down the stretch, though Grandal should seize control of the majority of the starts once the Dodgers begin to see a stream of right-handed pitching.
Sep 18 2015Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Pirates.Grandal will take a seat for the fourth time in five games, though he ended up catching seven innings as a defensive replacement in Tuesday's 16-inning marathon. A.J. Ellis will get another start behind the plate, batting fifth.
Sep 16 2015Grandal is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.He was not in the lineup Tuesday, either, but ended up coming into the game in the 10th and catching seven frames during the 16-inning marathon. A.J. Ellis, who caught the first half of Tuesday's game, will return behind the plate with the Rockies starting another left-hander in Jorge De La Rosa.
Sep 15 2015Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies.The 26-year-old has had a rough go of it of late, to put it mildly. Grandal had been 0-for-his-last-36 before racking up two hits in Monday's win, with his OPS falling from .874 to .796 over the 12-game hitless streak. He also dealt with a shoulder injury recently, but there's been nothing to suggest his playing time will be scaled back moving forward. A.J. Ellis gets the start Tuesday.
Sep 15 2015Grandal broke an 0-for-37 skid with a 2-for-3 effort Monday against the Rockies.His lone out was a line out to left and he hit a long sacrifice fly, so it appears the shoulder is feeling better for the All-Star catcher. He stands to get the bulk of the catcher at-bats over A.J. Ellis the rest of the way.
Sep 12 2015Grandal (shoulder) is starting and hitting seventh Saturday, FOX Sports Arizona's Jody Jackson reports.Grandal missed five games with the shoulder issue, but everything checked out during batting practice Saturday, so he will return to being the Dodgers' primary catcher.
Sep 11 2015Grandal (shoulder) will take batting practice Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA reports.Grandal is being held out of the lineup Friday for the fifth consecutive game, but it's an encouraging sign, as this will be the first time swinging a bat since an MRI revealed shoulder inflammation. If all goes well during batting practice, the hope is he'll be able to return over the weekend.
Sep 11 2015Grandal (shoulder) is not in the lineup Friday against the Diamondbacks, Zach Buchanan of the Arizona Republic reports.Grandal will miss his fifth straight contest, as he deals with shoulder inflammation. It still appears to be a day-to-day situation, but A.J. Ellis will spell him behind the plate and bat seventh Friday.
Sep 9 2015Grandal (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.Grandal will sit out for the fourth straight game with his sore shoulder. He will get a day to rest with the Dodgers off Thursday, and the Dodgers will determine sometime Friday whether or not he is ready to return to action.
Sep 8 2015Grandal, who is not in the lineup Tuesday, had an MRI that revealed shoulder inflammation, which he will have to deal with for the rest of the season, the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez reports.Rest is the only prescription for Grandal, and the team hopes to get him back sometime during this weekend's series against the Diamondbacks. A.J. Ellis and Austin Barnes will continue to handle the catching duties for the Dodgers in Grandal's absence, and upon his return he should take less of the workload than he had earlier in the season.
Sep 8 2015Grandal (shoulder) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.The Dodgers were forced to scratch Grandal from Monday's lineup due to a lingering shoulder injury, and he will remain out Tuesday for a third straight game. A.J. Ellis typically catches for Clayton Kershaw anyway, so it's not a big suprrise to see him out, but it's uncertain whether Grandal will be available in any capacity for Wednesday's series finale.
Sep 7 2015Grandal is dealing with a lingering shoulder injury and is considered day-to-day by manager Don Mattingly, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.Grandal was scratched from Monday's lineup with the ailing shoulder and will likely be examined prior to Tuesday's game against the Angels to determine his availability. If he's deemed unfit, A.J. Ellis will be in line for his third-straight stint behind the plate.
Sep 7 2015Grandal has been scratched from Monday's lineup.Grandal was initially listed as the starting catcher, but the Dodgers have issued a new lineup, and A.J. Ellis will now be behind the plate. Grandal has been mired in a major slump of late, going 0-for-his-last-25 at-bats.
Sep 6 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Padres.Grandal will take a seat for the day game Sunday as is somewhat normal for catchers. However, he's also been scuffling mightily at the plate this season, going 0-for-25 in his last eight starts. A.J. Ellis will replace him behind the plate Sunday, batting seventh for the Dodgers.
Sep 2 2015Grandal was on the bench in favor of A.J. Ellis for the third time in four games Tuesday, and is batting a 1-for-31 slump.Grandal could still be affected by a sore shoulder, and with A.J. Ellis in a 9-for-24 streak, look for the Dodgers to give Grandal more rest than normal this month.
Aug 27 2015Grandal (shoulder) is back in the lineup Thursday against the Reds, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.Grandal has missed three straight games, but will return Thursday afternoon to catch starter Zack Greinke. The 26-year-old backstop owns a .632 OPS in August -- his lowest of any month since April. Perhaps a few days off to rest a nagging ailment will help him right the ship.
Aug 26 2015Grandal (shoulder) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Reds, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.As expected, Grandal will remain out Wednesday as he continues to nurse a sore left shoulder, enabling A.J. Ellis to make his third straight start behind the plate. The Dodgers remain confident Grandal will avoid the DL, so he should be back to availability later in the week.
Aug 25 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Tuesday and will likely sit out Wednesday as well, Pedro Moura of the OC Register reports.Grandal is dealing with a sore left shoulder, which has allowed A.J. Ellis to start at catcher each of the last two games. That will likely be the case again Wednesday, but Grandal figures to be back in the mix later in the week, as the Dodgers are adamant that they do not expect him to land on the DL.
Aug 23 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros.Grandal will get the afternoon off after going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in the first two games of the series. A.J. Ellis gets the nod behind the plate with Clayton Kershaw taking the hill for the Dodgers.
Aug 18 2015Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the A's.A.J. Ellis catching Clayton Kershaw is nothing new, but manager Don Mattingly has also opted against using Grandal as the DH in Oakland with a lefty (Felix Doubront) due up for the A's. Grandal is batting .270/.364/.378 so far in August.
Aug 15 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports.After returning from a shoulder injury Friday, Grandal will get the day off Saturday against the Reds. A.J. Ellis will get the start at catcher and hit seventh.
Aug 14 2015Grandal (shoulder) is back in the lineup hitting seventh Friday.He was out of Thursday's lineup due to a sore left shoulder, but it did not sideline Grandal for long. The 26-year-old catcher is having an excellent season, slashing .284/.389/.489, and should be deployed in all formats.
Aug 13 2015Grandal is out of Thursday's lineup due to a sore left shoulder, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.While Grandal's injury will force him to miss Thursday's contest, it sounds as though it's just a day-to-day issue. A.J. Ellis will start in his place, batting eighth for the Dodgers.
Aug 8 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday.He did not run out a fly ball in Friday's game but this may also just be a standard day off. A.J. Ellis will get the start behind the dish with Mat Latos on the mound Saturday.
Aug 1 2015Grandal supplied all the offense Clayton Kershaw would need Saturday, going 3-for-4 with a two-run shot, his 15th home run of the season.It's his second straight three-hit game, boosting Grandal's batting average to .292. The 15 home runs ties last season's career high, and he should remain locked in as the Dodgers' starting catcher as long as he stays healthy.
Aug 1 2015Grandal went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in a 5-3 win over the Angels on Friday.The three-hit performance was nice, but what's even better is that he started against a lefty. Grandal was swinging early and often on Friday as he saw only seven pitches in his four at-bats. The breakout season continues for the young catcher as he maintains a .394 OBP and .500 SLG in 80 games played.
Jul 24 2015Grrandal is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.This will be Grandal's fifth missed start in the last 10 games, possibly brought on by his recent jaw injury. Rookie Austin Barnes will take over with Grandal likely to return soon.
Jul 22 2015Grandal (head) went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his return to the lineup Wednesday.After a two-game absence, Grandal was back near the heart of the order Wednesday afternoon. He'll work in tandem with Austin Barnes while A.J. Ellis is on the disabled list, while continuing to see the majority of the starts behind the plate for the Dodgers thanks to an impressive .287/.405/.525 line this season.
Jul 22 2015Grandal (head) is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Braves, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA reports.Grandal was held out of the starting lineup the last two games after taking a fall tip off his catcher's mask, but he is set to return to action. He will hit fifth against Braves starter Julio Teheran on Wednesday afternoon.
Jul 21 2015Grandal (head) is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reports.Grandal had a pinch-hit single on Monday but will get an extra day of precautionary rest before returning behind the plate.
Jul 21 2015Grandal (head) had a pinch-hit single in Monday's 7-5 loss to the Braves.The Dodgers were expected to hold Grandal out of action for a few days, but he's apparently available for pinch-hitting duties. He may still be held out of the lineup for another game or two, as his concussion history has led the Dodgers to take a cautious approach.
Jul 20 2015Grandal (head), who is out of the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Braves, is expected to receive two more days off, ESPN.com's Mark Saxon reports.X-rays on Grandal's jaw came back negative after he took a foul ball to the chin Sunday, but because the catcher has previously experienced concussion issues this season, the Dodgers are likely planning to hold him out as a precaution. With backup A.J. Ellis landing on the DL with right knee inflammation, the Dodgers recalled Austin Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make the start behind the plate Monday.
Jul 19 2015Grandal underwent X-rays for a broken jaw Sunday, which came back negative according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.Grandal was forced out of Sunday's game after taking a foul tip off his helmet, but received a bit of good news after further evaluation. Consider him day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener against the Braves, with A.J. Ellis set to resume any reps he leaves behind if the soreness worsens.
Jul 19 2015Grandal was removed from Sunday's game after taking a foul tip off his helmet, James Wagner of the Washington Post reports.Grandal will likely be evaluated for concussion symptoms, with further details to emerge following the game. A.J. Ellis came in to replace him in the sixth inning.
Jul 18 2015Grandal is unlikely to catch the second game of Saturday's slate, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reports.Grandal has gone 0-for-2 in Los Angeles' series opener with Washington, which was suspended in the fifth inning Friday. To limit the wear of catching all three games of the Dodgers' series, A.J Ellis will be behind the plate for Clayton Kershaw's start later Saturday.
Jul 7 2015Grandal went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in his return to the lineup Monday night.He was given a regular day off Sunday after playing in back-to-back contests Friday and Saturday. Grandal has quietly pushed his line to .271/.384/.507 on the season -- production that ranks him among the league's elite hitting catchers. In the current configuration of the Los Angeles lineup, Grandal is hitting fifth for manager Don Mattingly.
Jul 5 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets.Grandal will get a regular day of rest after starting back-to-back contests behind the plate. All of the switch-hitter's power (12 home runs) has come against right-handers this season, so manager Don Mattingly will play matchups with lefty Steven Matz on the hill for New York. A.J. Ellis will take over at catcher.
Jul 1 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Wednesday against Arizona.The Dodgers will deploy A.J Ellis behind the plate Wednesday as part of a very right-handed heavy lineup against the Diamondbacks. Grandal is listed as available to pinch hit Wednesday, so owners don't have to worry about any possible injury keeping him out of the lineup.
Jun 26 2015Grandal is not in the starting lineup Friday for the second straight day, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.A.J. Ellis will get the start behind the plate against Marlins left-hander Justin Nicolino on Friday, while no reason has been given for Grandal's second consecutive absence from the starting lineup.
Jun 25 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Thursday, Dodgers reporter Alanna Rizzo reports.This is just a standard day off for Grandal, who has been in the lineup in six of the last seven games. A.J. Ellis will get the start at catcher and hit eighth against the Cubs.
Jun 22 2015Grandal had a huge day at the plate Sunday, finishing 3-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs and three runs scored.The 26-year-old has seen his average dip to .276 but has really picked it up in the power department of late, with five home runs in his last 10 games. Grandal has emerged as a viable fantasy catcher this season as he is a fixture in the Dodgers lineup and is on pace to easily top his career-high of 15 homers.
Jun 17 2015Grandal is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.This is standard procedure for Grandal, as A.J. Ellis continues to catch Clayton Kershaw exclusively. Grandal has homered in three of his last five games, giving him eight for the season.
Jun 15 2015Grandal hit his eighth home run in Monday's loss to Texas, a solo shot in the eighth inning.Grandal now has three home runs in his last four games. His .477 slugging percentage leads all National League Catchers with at least 100 plate appearances. It's hard to match his power and discipline at the position now, as Grandal's 15.6 percent walk rate also leads major league catchers.
Jun 12 2015Grandal is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.A.J. Ellis continues to serve as Clayton Kershaw's personal catcher, spelling Grandal behind the plate every fifth day. Grandal hit his sixth home run of the season in Wednesday's win over the Diamondbacks, raising his season batting line to .277/.387/.454.
Jun 6 2015Grandal is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cardinals.With Clayton Kershaw taking the mound, A.J Ellis will get the start behind the plate Saturday. Grandal should be available to return to the lineup Sunday for the series finale.
Jun 2 2015Grandal is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rockies, AM 570's David Vassegh reports.With no report of an injury, Grandal will likely catch the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, while Austin Barnes may soon be headed back to the minors. Grandal hit a three-run homer in his first game back from the disabled list Saturday, and he also started Sunday's game against the Cardinals. He was held out of Monday's lineup against the Rockeis because A.J. Ellis typically catches Clayton Kershaw.
May 31 2015Grandal made his return from the disabled list Saturday, going 1-for-3 with a three-run homer off Cardinals starter Michael Wacha. He also drew a walk.The homer not only gave the Dodgers a 4-1 lead, but also knocked Wacha from the game. Grandal appears to be completely healthy after dealing with a concussion that forced him to miss the last six games. Be sure to get him back into your lineups as he's been driving in runs at a fantasy-friendly pace whenever he's been able to take the field.
May 30 2015Grandal (concussion) was activated from the 7-Day DL and will catch and hit sixth Saturday, the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett reports.This was anticipated as Saturday represents the first day Grandal was eligible to be activated. Surprisingly the Dodgers will continue to roster three catchers as Chris Heisey, not Austin Barnes, was sent to Triple-A as a corresponding move. This could mean the team is going to be pretty cautious with Grandal's playing time initially.
May 30 2015Grandal (concussion) was activated from the 7-Day DL Saturday, the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett reports.This was anticipated as Saturday represents the first day Grandal was eligible to be activated. Surprisingly the Dodgers will continue to roster three catchers as Chris Heisey, not Austin Barnes, was sent to Triple-A as a corresponding move. This could mean the team is going to be pretty cautious with Grandal's playing time initially.
May 29 2015Grandal (concussion) is expected to be ready for activation when first eligible Saturday, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal's activation Sunday would likely move him back to the everyday role behind the plate, pushing A.J. Ellis back to a bench and spot start role. The veteran backstop has started 2015 strong, sticking .291/.403/.466 with four home runs through 33 games. His presence in the lineup could provide a boost to others around him moving forward as well.
May 29 2015Grandal (concussion) has rejoined the Dodgers in St. Louis, David Vasseh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.Grandal is eligible to rejoin the Dodgers as soon as Saturday, and the news that he's joined the club could mean he'll be ready. Whent that happens, he'll likely retake the everyday duties behind the plate, pushing A.J. Ellis back to the bench.
May 29 2015Grandal (concussion) was 2-for-4 with a pair of walks for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.Grandal still appears set to rejoin the team Friday in St. Louis.
May 27 2015Grandal (concussion) was 1-for-3 with three walks and three runs scored as Triple-A Oklahoma City's DH on Tuesday.He'll DH for two more games and then rejoin the Dodgers this weekend in St. Louis.
May 25 2015Grandal (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.The Dodgers will restrict Grandal to DH duty throughout his three-game stint with Oklahoma City with the hope of avoiding any recurrence of his concussion symptoms. Grandal figures to return behind the plate for Los Angeles this weekend assuming all goes well.
May 24 2015Grandal (concussion) will play in minor league games before coming off the DL, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.Grandal and the Dodgers have already declared the injury mild, and the fact that he'll be seeing baseball action so soon affirms that notion. Look for him to be activated after the minimum seven-day period.
May 23 2015Grandal was placed on the 7-day concussion DL on Saturday.A foul ball to the facemask forced Grandal from Friday's game, and he will miss an additional week at least with the catcher displaying concussion symptoms. Austin Barnes was recalled in a corresponding move but figures to play second fiddle to veteran A.J. Ellis until Grandal is cleared to return.
May 23 2015Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Saturday that Grandal (concussion) should be fine in a few days, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.The concussion Grandal suffered Friday has been deemed mild, but the team decided to play it safe and give him a stint on the 7-day DL. While Austin Barnes was brought up to replace Grandal on the active roster, A.J. Ellis is starting behind the plate Saturday against San Diego.
May 22 2015Grandal left midway through Friday's game after taking a bat and a foul ball off his mask, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.He was 1-for-2 before leaving and was replaced by A.J. Ellis. It was a scoreless game when he left so presumably he would have stayed in if it was a good option from a medical standpoint. Consider him questionable for the Dodgers' next game.
May 10 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.Grandal has logged just 10 at-bats against lefties this year, so it's not too surprising to see him sit with southpaw Jorge De La Rosa on the hill for the Rockies. A.J. Ellis will man the backstop in his stead.
May 7 2015Grandal had an enormous game Thursday against the Brewers, going 4-for-4 with two homes, two walks, eight RBI and three runs.Well, that's about as good of a fantasy performance as you'll see. Grandal had been cold to open the year, as he was hitting just .179 with a .581 OPS after going 0-for-3 on May 1. But he's lit aflame over the last five games, going a whopping 12-for-17 (.706) with three homers, lifting his numbers to .301 and .948. How quickly things can change. Don't overrate him based on this one game, but Grandal does have power, and his improved plate discipline this year makes it seem likely that he'll sustain a decent batting average.
May 6 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Wednesday.A.J. Ellis gets the start at catcher with Grandal getting a standard day off. Even when he's not in the lineup, Grandal has been getting pinch-hit opportunities off the bench, which is not typical on two-catcher teams.
May 3 2015Grandal was the hero of Sunday's 1-0 walkoff victory against the Diamondbacks, launching a pinch-hit solo home run in the 13th inning.Grandal received a routine day off behind the plate but was able to come through in the clutch when called upon. He is still hitting just .230 on the season, but should continue to see the lion's share of the starts at catcher.
May 3 2015Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.A.J. Ellis will get the start at catcher while Grandal picks up a routine rest. Grandal churned out a three-hit performance Saturday, elevating his season batting average to .217.
Apr 28 2015Grandal is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Giants, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.Grandal caught for starter Clayton Kershaw once this season, but it seems A.J. Ellis will continue manning the backstop for Kershaw most of the time. After an 0-for-4 showing Monday, Grandal is now sitting with an even .200 batting average through 15 games.
Apr 19 2015Grandal isn't in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.It appears manager Don Mattingly has settled on A.J. Ellis as the preferred catcher for starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy, as he's been behind the plate for each of the right-hander's three turns this season. Grandal will pick up a breather in the series finale as a result, but expect him back in the lineup Tuesday, when the Dodgers kick off a three-game slate with the Giants.
Apr 15 2015Grandal is hitting second in the Dodgers' lineup Wednesday against the Mariners.Grandal has a career .355 OBP against righties, so it makes sense to get him up in the lineup with Yasiel Puig still out of action. This is the first time in his career that Grandal has hit in the two hole, and it will help his fantasy value if he can find his way back to this spot in the lineup down the road.
Apr 11 2015Grandal is not in the lineup Saturday.Grandal had his first hit as a Dodger on Friday night, and it happened to be a solo home run. However, with Clayton Kershaw on the mound, A.J. Ellis gets the start behind the dish -- a trend that should continue all season.
Apr 7 2015Grandal will catch and bat fifth against the Padres on Tuesday.A.J. Ellis got the Opening Day start, catching longtime teammate Clayton Kershaw, but Grandal will step in behind the plate Tuesday against his former team. Manager Mike Matheny will keep Howie Kendrick in the cleanup spot, though, after Kendrick's 2-for-4 effort Monday.
Apr 6 2015Grandal is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.Manager Don Mattingly will sit Grandal in favor of A.J. Ellis with Clayton Kershaw on the bump. The skipper was adamant in February that Ellis would not serve as Kershaw's personal catcher, but perhaps he just wanted Kershaw to be completely comfortable for his first regular-season start. Grandal projects to serve as the team's cleanup hitter against right-handed pitching.
Apr 2 2015Grandal currently projects as the team's cleanup hitter against right-handers, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.In theory, the switch-hitting Grandal would move down to the five-hole against lefties. Grandal is batting just .226/.268/.340 this spring, but he's healthy and the Dodgers clearly aren't worried about his bat.
Mar 23 2015Grandal is batting just .211/.231/.289 with a 10:1 K:BB in 38 at-bats this spring.As long as Grandal enters the season healthy, he should be the Opening Day catcher, getting roughly 65-70% of the starts over backup A.J. Ellis. The Dodgers are counting on him providing a bit of pop, likely from the sixth hole in the lineup.
Mar 2 2015Grandal has impressed Dodgers coach Steve Yeager so far in camp and appears in line to receive at least two-thirds of the starts behind the plate, the Dodgers' official site reports.Grandal's bat will likely dictate how much playing time he winds up receiving. Starting 2/3 of the time would equate to 108 starts over the course of the season.
Feb 3 2015Grandal attributed some of his 2014 struggles to the lack of strength in his surgically-repaired right knee, Los Angeles Times reports.All 15 of Grandal's home runs last season came while he was hitting left-handed, as the weakness in his right knee impacted him more when he was hitting right-handed (.162 AVG). After spending time this winter playing in the Dominican Republic, Grandal said that his knee feels like it's back where it was pre-surgery. The Dodgers haven't informed Grandal how they intend to divide the playing time behind the plate for their new backstop and veteran holdover A.J. Ellis, but the assumption is that the split will favor Grandal.
Dec 11 2014Grandal will be traded to the Dodgers as part of the package for outfielder Matt Kemp, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.Grandal had a rough 2014 season with the Padres, posting a career-high 26 percent strikeout rate and slashing .237/.335/.389 over 443 plate appearances. He'll get an opportunity to turn things around, but his playing time is currently blocked by A.J. Ellis at catcher, and Adrian Gonzalez at first base. The Dodgers have been very active during the 2014 winter meetings, however, so Grandal's status still has the potential to change on short notice.
Sep 21 2014Grandal went 1-for-2 with three RBI and a walk in the Padres' 8-2 win over the Giants on Sunday.Grandal has a four-game hitting streak and has hit safely in seven of his last nine game. The three RBI are the most he's had in a game since Aug. 24. He has also drawn six walks in seven games. His average moved to .219 on the year after Sunday's game.
Sep 17 2014Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies.Tommy Medica will get the nod at first base Wednesday, as Grandal sits following eight straight starts. He should continue playing on a near-everyday basis over the remainder of the season, mostly at first but with some starts behind the plate likely sprinkled in.
Sep 8 2014Grandal has used starts at first base to strengthen his surgically-repaired right knee, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Regarding his normal position, catcher, he said, "It got to a point when I went past the halfway mark this year, I was doing pretty good but my legs just started getting tired. That might've been one of the reasons I went to first a little bit more. So far, I'm happy with where I'm at. It's just another stepping stone."Entering Monday's game, Grandal has taken on first base in seven of his last nine appearances, as Rene Rivera continues to garner most of the starts at catcher when one of the Padres' big three (Andrew Cashner, Ian Kennedy, and Tyson Ross) toes the rubber. A surprising development is their respective years at the plate. Rivera has been far more consistent, hitting .248/.316/.420, while Grandal has belted a career-best 11 homers opposite a dismal .209/.304/.361 line. Although their division of time behind the plate is warranted, Grandal intends to return to everyday duty as a backstop during winter ball in the Dominican Republic. If all goes well, the Padres' competition at catcher will be one of the more intriguing battles of spring training 2015, especially if top prospect, Austin Hedges, is given an opportunity to stick with the big club during camp.
Sep 7 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal will sit for third time in the last four games, while Rene Rivera mans the backstop and Tommy Medica takes over at first base. He'll likely continue to see the bench frequently down the stretch, as the Padres seemingly would prefer to get a look at their younger players instead, especially with Grandal set to hit free agency next season. Overall, the 25-year-old has had a disappointing 2014 campaign, slashing .209/.304/.361 with only 25 extra-base hits.
Sep 5 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Friday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.This is just a standard day of for Grandal, as there are only a few players on the Padres at this point in the season who are typically in the lineup everyday. Tommy Medica will start at first base.
Sep 4 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal is playing a lot of first base these days with fellow catcher Rene Rivera warranting more at-bats, but manager Bud Black will tap Jake Goebbert for a start at the position on Thursday. Though he's done some nice things in the power department with 13 doubles and 11 homers in 310 at-bats, Grandal's .210 average wasn't what the Padres signed up for when they acquired him for Mat Latos back in December 2011.
Aug 30 2014Grandal went 1-for-5 with a run scored and one RBI, as he hit a game-ending single in the bottom of the 12th inning against the Dodgers on Friday.It's been a rough season for Grandal (.210/.309/.372) considering injury and poor play, but he was able to end the extra-inning game for the win on Friday. Grandal, who is getting everyday at-bats while catching and playing first base, does provide solid power from a shallow position.
Aug 25 2014Grandal recorded a career-best four RBI via a three-run homer and a sac fly during Sunday's victory in Arizona.Earning his 11th career nod at first base, Grandal continues to share catching duties with Rene Rivera just one year removed from a torn ACL. No matter, Grandal continues to display a power stroke, as the long ball marked his fourth in 79 at-bats since the All-Star break. While his prospects with the Padres beyond 2014 are up in the air due to Rivera's preeminent defense and the presence of super prospect Austin Hedges in the minors, Grandal should log enough time to be of value in numerous formats during this season's stretch run.
Aug 23 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks.Grandal will sit for the fourth time in eight games, and it seems he and Rene Rivera will continue to split the workload behind the plate fairly evenly.
Aug 19 2014Grandal is not in the lineup Tuesday.It's just a standard day off for the Padres' starting catcher, and Rene Rivera will setup behind the dish Tuesday.
Aug 15 2014Grandal picked up his 10th homer of the year on Friday against the Cardinals in a pinch-hit effort, scoring one run and netting one RBI.The Padres' catcher did not start on Friday, but he did try to do his part in the ninth-inning at-bat. Grandal (.209/.310/.379) has had a very disappointing season to this point, not getting anywhere near the expectations most thought for him in 2014. Look for Grandal to continue to share at-bats with Rivera moving forward.
Aug 15 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.Rene Rivera will once again catch starter Tyson Ross as Grandal returns to the bench after four straight starts. Grandal is just 5-for-24 with one extra-base hit so far in August, but he appears likely to continue serving as the primary option over the remainder of the season.
Aug 10 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.Grandal, who's 1-for-16 over his last seven games, will head back to the bench after just one start. Rene Rivera will catch starter Tyson Ross, but the team figures to give Grandal ample time over the final seven weeks or so to see if he can be a legitimate option for the future.
Aug 8 2014Grandal is out of the Padres' lineup Friday against the Pirates.Rene Rivera will step in behind the plate to catch starter Ian Kennedy, as Grandal heads to the bench after three straight starts. Grandal has failed to record an extra-base hit in his last eight games (22 at-bats).
Aug 3 2014Grandal (knee) is back in the lineup Sunday vs. the Braves, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.After he was able to pinch-hit in Saturday's contest without incident, Grandal will rejoin the lineup at first base Sunday. The Padres could use him at first base over the next couple of days to reduce the strain on his knee, but it shouldn't be long before he's back behind the plate again.
Aug 1 2014Grandal (knee) remains out of the Padres' lineup Friday.The Padres were forced to scratch Grandal from Thursday's lineup due to fluid buildup in his right knee, and he'll miss at least one additional start as a result. Manager Bud Black did say that he expects Grandal to be fine, suggesting a DL stint is not being considered.
Jul 31 2014Grandal was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup vs. the Cardinals, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.It's not certain what prompted Grandal's late removal from the lineup, but the Padres should pass along an update if a physical issue prevented him from suiting up. Rene Rivera slots in as the catcher, calling the signs for Odrisamer Despaigne.
Jul 31 2014Grandal was a late scratch from Thursday's game due to fluid buildup in his right knee, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal's knee issue isn't expected to be a major concern, as manager Bud Black said later that "he'll be fine." Rene Rivera should continue to take the majority of reps until Grandal is ready for more consistent work. Rivera may also see some extra work if Black decides to give Grandal an extra day off here and there down the stretch.
Jul 29 2014Grandal is out of the Padres' lineup Tuesday against the Cardinals.Rene Rivera will step in to catch starter Tyson Ross, as Grandal sits after making three straight starts. With Yonder Alonso back at first base, Grandal will be confined to the backstop position, meaning his playing time will take a slight hit.
Jul 25 2014Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Braves.Grandal is enjoying his finest month of the season by far, with a .933 OPS and three homers to this point, but he'll sit Friday as Rene Rivera catches and Tommy Medica mans first.
Jul 23 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Wednesday, the Union-Tribune's Dennis Lin reports.Rene Rivera will start behind the dish, giving Grandal the day off. He has flashed a little pop lately, hitting two home runs in his last three games, although his batting average still sits at .212, which limits his fantasy value.
Jul 7 2014Grandal is not in the lineup Monday against the Rockies, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Once locked in a timeshare with Rene Rivera, Grandal appears to have emerged from the scrum as the team's primary starter, having played behind the dish for six of the team's previous seven games. Grandal will just be receiving a rest Monday, after he went 1-for-3 with his seventh homer of the season Sunday against the Giants.
Jul 2 2014Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Reds.Grandal has started each of the past three games for the Padres, but he'll be spared from catching duties for the day game after the night game. After a dismal start to the campaign, Grandal has shown slight signings of awakening at the plate. He delivered two hits and drew a walk over five plate appearances in Tuesday's victory.
Jun 25 2014Grandal finished 1-for-4 with a run scored during Tuesday's win in San Francisco.The Padres entered the top of the sixth inning with a 3-1 cushion, and after tallying a third consecutive single off Tim Hudson to start the frame, Grandal eventually came around to score on an Alexi Amarista single. Grandal has now put together his third-longest hitting streak of the season -- three games -- as he attempts to reach the friendly side of the Mendoza Line for the second time since May 26. However, he'll yield the backstop to Rene Rivera in Wednesday's series finale.
Jun 12 2014Grandal smacked his sixth home run Thursday in Philadelphia -- his only hit in a 1-for-4 afternoon.Well, Grandal's still hitting a not-so-robust .185 (with, we'll note, a .213 BABIP), but at least he's got six homers. Grandal's been seeing very inconsistent playing time lately, but he clearly has more upside than 30-year-old journeyman Rene Rivera, who's been seeing starter's innings despite hitting .220 on the season. Look for Grandal to play his way into a starting role over the summer.
Jun 3 2014Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Padres broadcaster Bob Scanlan reports.Grandal will sit for the fourth time in five games, as it appears he's fallen behind Rene Rivera on the Padres' depth chart. The 25-year-old Grandal hit a dismal .115/.203/.327 in May.
May 31 2014Grandal is out of the Padres' lineup again Saturday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Rene Rivera will make his second straight start behind the plate in place of Grandal, who has all of two hits since May 7. If Grandal is not used off the bench Saturday, he'll finish with a .115/.203/.327 batting line in May, and his role as primary backstop may be in jeopardy.
May 30 2014Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the White Sox.An 0-for-3 performance Wednesday brought Grandal's average down to .189 and extended his hitless streak to four games. The hand injury seems to be behind him, but Grandal will sit in favor of Rene Rivera on Friday.
May 29 2014Grandal (hand) went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.Grandal took the full force of a Paul Goldschmidt swing to his glove hand Tuesday, but X-rays were negative and he was in the lineup for Wednesday's tilt. With the team off Thursday, Grandal will be given a day to let any remaining swelling subside and should be fine heading into the weekend.
May 28 2014Grandal (hand) is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.The expectation was that Grandal would sit Wednesday after being hit on his glove hand by Paul Goldschmidt's backswing Tuesday, but evidently he's fine to play. Of course, the team could always make a late lineup change if Grandal doesn't fare well in batting practice, but it looks like the 25-year-old won't even miss one start.
May 27 2014Grandal was removed from Tuesday's game after taking the full force of Paul Goldschmidt's swing on his glove hand, Fox Sports Arizona's Jack Magruder reports.He was replaced by Rene Rivera, and while it's not clear how serious Grandal's injury is, it could easily have been a break, as he was called for catcher's interference on the play, and it was the full force of a bat on his hand. Consider him day-to-day for now, but the Padres may have to call up Adam Moore from Triple-A if Grandal has to hit the DL.
May 27 2014Grandal's X-ray on his left hand came back negative, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.He won't play Wednesday and the team is off Thursday, so for now he's just considered day-to-day. The news about the X-rays is excellent, because it appeared he could have broken his hand, which would have left the Padres in a rough spot after just trading Nick Hundley.
May 24 2014Grandal could be in line for a bump in playing time with the Padres trading Nick Hundley to the Orioles on Saturday.Grandal only has three starts in the past 10 days, but that could change now that it's just he and Rene Rivera at catcher for the Padres. His .206 batting average is underwhelming, but he is slugging .412, and has always been an enticing fantasy option because of his power.
May 22 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Thursday against the Cubs, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal continues to lose reps to Nick Hundley and Rene Rivera, starting only two of the Padres' past six games behind the plate. Up to this point, he's been unable to get his bat going, owning just a .128 batting average in May.
May 18 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies.Though Grandal is the most talented hitter of the Padres' three catchers, the team remains non-committal on giving him a full run of starts while he's off to an uncharacteristically slow start offensively. Grandal, who is batting just .206 on the campaign, will sit for the third time in four games.
May 16 2014Grandal is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Padres announcer Bob Scanlan reports.Grandal hit two home runs in his first four games to begin May, but is now 0-for-his-last-18. He'll get a day to get his head together Friday, as Nick Hundley steps in behind the plate.
May 15 2014Grandal is not in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Reds.Grandal was behind the plate for all nine innings of Game 1, going 0-for-3 on the afternoon. He'll be available as a pinch-hitter for Game 2, while Rene Rivera backstops Tyson Ross.
May 13 2014Grandal is not in the starting lineup Tuesday.Rene Rivera is catching for the Padres on Tuesday night, while Grandal will presumably have to do damage against his former organization as a pinch-hitter.
May 10 2014Grandal is not in Saturday's lineup against the Marlins, U-T San Diego's Jeff Sanders reports.Grandal has progressed to catching back-to-back games but still hasn't handled three in a row. With Yonder Alonso finally showing signs of life Friday, Padres manager Bud Black opted to keep Grandal on the bench for Saturday's game, rather than starting him at first base.
May 7 2014Grandal is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Royals.Despite producing homers in his last two games, Grandal will receive the day off for rest purposes more than anything. Rene Rivera will spell him behind the plate.
May 7 2014Grandal hit a solo homer in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Royals, going 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in the game.Unfortunately for the Padres, the homer was the only run scored by them. Grandal remains a bright spot among an otherwise bleak lineup for the Padres. After the loss he's now hitting .253/.333/.493 on the season.
May 6 2014Grandal is starting at catcher for the second consecutive day Tuesday.It's Grandal's fourth consecutive start, but this one is especially noteworthy, as it marks his first time catching on back-to-back days this season. The 25-year-old has been limited following offseason knee surgery, but the expectation has always been that he will take over as the primary catcher once he can display the ability to catch everyday. He may continue to see occasional starts at first base as well.
May 6 2014Grandal started a third consecutive game for the first time this season during Monday's victory versus the Royals, finishing the night 1-for-4 with a three-run homer.Two nods at the backstop were sandwiched about a start at first base Sunday, but an everyday spot in the lineup is nearly assured now due to Grandal's status as the sole bright spot in a dour offense. After taking advantage of Kansas City flamethrower Yordano Ventura's sole mistake of the night, Grandal has tallied hits in five of his last six appearances, boosting his line on the season to a respectable .254/.338/.465. Even more encouraging was Grandal's ability to handle 12 innings in the crouch Monday, which should help to wash away concerns regarding his surgically-repaired right knee.
Apr 30 2014Grandal completed Tuesday's loss in San Francisco as the Padres' sole first baseman but was hitless in three at-bats.Grandal has been taking groundballs at first since spring training, so it's not as if the experiment is a sign of desperation, despite the thin nature of San Diego's infield at the moment - Jedd Gyorko is on paternity leave, while Chase Headley (calf) is on the DL. As he continues to build up strength in his knees to handle catching on an everyday basis, there is the potential for Grandal to earn time at first due to Yonder Alonso's struggles at the plate (.172/.204/.237 line on the season). It didn't hurt that Grandal handled all of his 14 putouts with ease.
Apr 29 2014Grandal will start at first base and bat cleanup Tuesday against the Giants.It will Grandal's first career start at first base, a position that's been a black hole for San Diego this season. Yonder Alonso is batting .172/.204/.237 and Tommy Medica has struck out in nearly 50 percent of his plate appearances. Grandal is expected to take over as the primary backstop once his knees are ready, but if he can hold his own at first, there's a chance he could see enough time there to earn dual eligibility.
Apr 28 2014Grandal is not in the Padres' lineup Tuesday against the Giants.Grandal's out of the lineup for a third time in four days, but he's still expected to serve as the top catcher once his surgically-repaired knee is up to the task. Rene Rivera gets the nod Monday as the Padres take on tough Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner.
Apr 26 2014Grandal is out of the lineup again Saturday, Padres broadcaster Bob Scanlan reports.The Padres' backstop rotation continues, as Rene Rivera draws the start Saturday. Grandal is expected to take over as the No. 1 option, once he can display the ability to catch everyday.
Apr 25 2014Grandal is out of the lineup Friday against the Nationals.Grandal broke out of an 0-for-12 slump with a two-RBI double Thursday, but he'll sit Friday in favor of Nick Hundley. It looks like Grandal will be relied on as a key run producer when in the lineup, as he's been batting third or fourth in the recent days, but it's clear his knee is still not ready for an everyday workload.
Apr 22 2014Grandal will bat third in the order Tuesday against the Brewers.Grandal has bounced around this season, seeing starts at five different spots in the order, but he'll occupy the No. 3 hole Tuesday for the second time in four games. He's still not ready to catch everyday, but once he proves that his knee is ready for the workload, Grandal will be the No. 1 backstop.
Apr 21 2014Grandal, who isn't in the Padres' lineup Monday at Milwaukee, will be considered the No. 1 catcher once he's displays the ability to catch every day, Bill Center of the team's official site reports.The starts in San Diego's backstop break down as follows in 2014: eight for Grandal, eight for Rene Rivera, and the remaining four for Nick Hundley. Grandal will take on the majority of nods once he can handle the rigors of catching on a daily basis. However, he remains unable to do so on the right ACL that was repaired last August, leaving a committee approach to rule the day for the time being.
Apr 21 2014Grandal, who isn't in the Padres' lineup Monday at Milwaukee, will be considered the No. 1 catcher once he's displays the ability to catch everyday, Bill Center of the team's official site reports.The starts in San Diego's backstop break down as follows in 2014: eight for Grandal, eight for Rene Rivera, and the remaining four for Nick Hundley. Grandal will take on the majority of nods once he can handle the rigors of catching on a daily basis. However, he remains unable to do so on the right ACL that was repaired last August, leaving a committee approach to rule the day for the time being.
Apr 20 2014Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Giants.After logging nine innings behind the plate Saturday night, Grandal will turn over catching duties to Nick Hundley in the afternoon tilt.
Apr 16 2014Grandal took grounders at third base before Wednesday's game, U-T San Diego's Jeff Sanders reports.Yonder Alonso also was seen taking ground balls at the hot corner, with Chase Headley dealing with a mild biceps strain. It's not clear how serious Headley's injury is, but they could also be getting work in at third in the anticipation of Headley possibly getting dealt this season, or not re-signing for 2015 and beyond. Grandal doesn't seem to be in the Padres' long-term plans at catcher, with star defensive prospect Austin Hedges potentially arriving up the pipeline in 2015, so a move to third base would make sense.
Apr 16 2014Grandal is not in the Padres' lineup Wednesday, the Padres' official Twitter feed reports.Rene Rivera will play catcher against the Padres, as Grandal sits after playing the last two games. He's getting on base at a 45.5 percent clip, but has just one extra-base hit in 27 at-bats, something that should change soon for the 25-year-old backstop.
Apr 12 2014Grandal is back in the Padres' lineup Saturday against the Tigers, batting seventh and manning the backstop.Grandal last made an appearance as a pinch hitter in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Cleveland, when he struck out with the bases loaded. Otherwise, he's fared well in 19 at-bats this season, slashing .368/.500/.421 with one RBI, two runs, one steal, and a 5:7 BB:K.
Apr 11 2014Grandal is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Tigers.Grandal broke out with a four-hit game Tuesday, but the Padres are still being mindful of his workload after his reconstructive knee surgery last July.
Apr 9 2014Grandal will serve as the DH in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Indians, according to Padres announcer Bob Scanlan.Grandal likely would have been limited to one game had he been the catcher in Wednesday's first game, but with him serving as the DH in the opener of the twin bill, there is a chance he could be in the lineup for both games.
Apr 9 2014Grandal is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the Wednesday's doubleheader with the Indians.After he served as the designated hitter for Game 1, there was some thought Grandal would be behind the plate for the second game of the doubleheader, but that won't come to fruition. Instead, fantasy owners will be stuck with an 0-for-4 performance Wednesday from Grandal, barring a late entry into the second game as a pinch-hitter.
Apr 7 2014Grandal can't yet catch a full nine-inning game on consecutive days, MLB.com reports.Grandal's limitations have prompted the Padres to carry three catchers to begin the season, an arrangement that isn't likely to last much longer.
Apr 7 2014Grandal is in the Padres' lineup Monday at Cleveland, taking on DH and batting fifth in the order.Grandal's other three starts this season have come behind the plate, but American League rules call for another batter, which helps him avoid the stresses of getting in the crouch. Moreover, rainy weather has taken hold early this week in northern Ohio, so the Padres will likely hold him to DH or pinch appearances, while Nick Hundley (starting Monday) and Rene Rivera otherwise man the backstop. In nine at-bats this season, Grandal has contributed three singles, one run, one stolen base, and a 5:3 BB:K.
Apr 5 2014Grandal is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Marlins.Grandal, Nick Hundley and Rene Rivera have each made at least one start behind the plate already this season, but as Grandal's surgically-repaired knee gets stronger, he'll likely work himself the true primary role.
Apr 1 2014Grandal is in the starting lineup against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.The early-season plans behind the plate in San Diego may limit Grandal's workload, at least while the Padres are carrying three catchers, but all signs to this point suggest that he's made a full recovery from knee surgery.
Mar 30 2014Grandal (knee) has made the Padres' Opening Day roster, the team's official site reports.With three catchers currently in tow, there may still be some concern about Grandal's ability to handle a significant share of the workload initially. Grandal played in seven Cactus League games this spring, so it's reasonable to think that he'll yield the largest share of the playing time behind the plate to Nick Hundley to begin the year until he's ready to handle more starts.
Mar 25 2014Grandal (knee) caught nine innings in Tuesday's exhibition game, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.Grandal made his sixth appearance of the spring on Tuesday, and now seems to be a likely candidate to make the Padres' Opening Day roster. It remains to be seen whether he can catch on back-to-back days, but his progress up to this point has been impressive, considering he is just nine months removed from ACL surgery.
Mar 24 2014Grandal (knee) appeared in his fifth outing of the spring Sunday versus the Rangers and may make it six in Tuesday's game, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.In a 2-for-4 performance, Grandal notched his first RBI of the spring on a single. After Sunday's contest, he has managed significant innings behind the plate twice in the last three days, displaying elevated comfort in the crouch. Although manager Bud Black has declared that Grandal is "getting close," there is a distinct possibility that he'll remain in extended spring training until he can consistently handle the rigors of catching multiple days in a row. No matter, Grandal remains in the conversation with fellow backstops Nick Hundley and Rene Rivera for 25-man roster spots out of spring training.
Mar 21 2014The Padres are unsure if Grandal (knee) will be available for Opening Night on Mar. 30 versus the Dodgers, MLB.com reports. "If I'm not ready by the beginning of the season I'll go on the [disabled list] and we'll go from there," the backstop told the Associated Press. "Carrying three catchers, I don't think that's something smart. So if I'm not 100 percent it's totally going to hurt the team."Since making his spring debut on Mar. 10, Grandal has fared well in his limited at-bats, batting 2-for-5 with one run scored. He has yet to display an ability to catch everyday, though, which increases the likelihood that he'll land on the DL to begin the season, honing his game at extended spring training. If the preceding comes to pass, Nick Hundley will act as the primary catcher for the Padres off the bat, and his strong spring at the plate -- .310/.333/.586 line with two homers in 29 at-bats -- could keep him there, even when Grandal achieves the requisite level of health to get in the crouch daily.
Mar 13 2014Grandal (knee) will start at catcher Thursday against the Brewers, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.On Monday, Grandal made his first appearance behind the plate since last July and showed off his arm with a strong throw to catch a would-be basestealer. He didn't start that game but logged three innings behind the dish. Thursday's start represents the final hurdle for Grandal, but manager Bud Black is, understandably, not yet willing to commit to him as the team's Opening Day starting catcher.
Mar 12 2014Grandal (knee) should catch again in Thursday's Cactus League outing versus the Brewers, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.On Monday, Grandal made his first in-game appearance since July 6, 2013, finishing his three-inning stint 1-for-2, while throwing out a basestealer. The laser on the aforementioned caught stealing clocked in at less than two seconds, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com, which is incredibly impressive and displays that he's rounding into form. Nonetheless, there has been no commitment made for Grandal's return date, leaving his status for Opening Night up in the air.
Mar 11 2014Grandal (knee) belted a single in his first spring at-bat Monday versus the Rockies, which he followed up by gunning out an attempted basestealer. While he emerged from the outing unscathed, manager Bud Black would not commit to the catcher playing on Opening Night, MLB.com reports. "It's still a process with Yazzy; he still has to build his stamina and endurance back," stated Black.Grandal took over behind the plate for Rene Rivera in the seventh, going 1-for-2 and setting down likely minor leaguer Rosell Herrera by several feet at second base. However, Grandal will likely have to prove he can handle more than three innings in the crouch, as well as back-to-back outings without a setback, before Black will consider a return imminent. Don't expect a decision to come down in the near future.
Mar 9 2014Grandal (knee) could return to action as soon as Monday, according to manager Bud Black, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal caught three innings of a simulated game Saturday, and his knees felt well enough on Sunday to make a Monday return in the realm of possibility. If the 25-year-old's knees stay strong after his first live action, it would be relatively safe to assume Grandal will begin 2014 as the Padres' top catching option, starting on Opening Day.
Mar 9 2014Grandal (knee) said his knee felt good Sunday, after catching three innings in a simulated game Saturday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal has been catching bullpen sessions for weeks now, but he's just recently been cleared to catch in simulated games and it's uncertain when he may get the green light to play in actual spring games. Though Grandal hasn't been ruled out for Opening Day, it's looking like Nick Hundley and Rene Rivera could open the year as the top options behind the plate for San Diego.
Mar 8 2014Grandal (knee) will catch a simulated game Saturday, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.While the Padres haven't ruled out the possibility of having Grandal available on Opening Day, he'll need to make more progress in the near future in order to reach that goal. Saturday's simulated game is a step in the right direction, but Nick Hundley and Rene Rivera may open the season as the Padres' primary backstops.
Mar 6 2014Grandal (knee) must build up his stamina, before the green light will be given for an appearance in spring training, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal remains an option to start at catcher on Opening Day, but every day that goes by without an appearance places greater doubt in his availability for that tilt. If he's unable to make the necessary progress in his recovery from a torn right ACL, Nick Hundley will hold down the fort at catcher, with Rene Rivera and, potentially, prospect Austin Hedges factoring into the mix behind the plate.
Feb 15 2014Grandal (knee) caught bullpen sessions Friday, but was given the day off Saturday as he will be brought along more slowly than the Padres' other catchers, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.While Grandal hopes to catch on Opening Day against the Dodgers, he could see reduced time when the season begins anyway to ease his workload. As a result, Nick Hundley could see a steady number of at-bats during the first half of the season, and top catching prospect Austin Hedges could push his way into the mix during the season as well.
Feb 9 2014Grandal (knee) intends to be "behind home plate" on Opening Day, which takes place Mar. 30 versus the Dodgers, MLB.com reports.Grandal tore the ACL in his right knee on Jul. 6 and underwent surgery to repair the concern exactly one month later. The typical 9-to-12 month timetable for a recovery was soon announced, which irked the catcher and pushed him to be ready for 2014's first pitch. His rehab has so far included running the bases and catching, but the Padres are expected to ease him into spring training in order to avoid any setbacks. If his season debut is delayed, expect Nick Hundley and Rene Rivera to man the backstop for the Padres until Grandal is completely cleared.
Feb 2 2014Padres GM Josh Byrnes said Saturday that it's "possible" Grandal (knee) could be ready for Opening Day, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal, who underwent reconstructive ACL surgery back on Aug. 6, says he will be ready for Opening Day, but it seems the team isn't quite as certain. Byrnes wisely pointed out that Opening Day is just the start of a six-month season, so even if the 25-year-old feels 100 percent this spring, the club will limit him a bit to be safe. Rehab for an injury such as Grandal's typically takes around nine-to-12 months.
Sep 21 2013Grandal (knee) is optimistic that he'll be ready to play during spring training, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.Grandal's season was bookended by suspension and injury, but if he can get right ahead of the 2014 campaign, he figures to open the year as the Padres' top option behind the dish. However, the 24-year-old is just six weeks removed from a full reconstruction of his ACL, and given the demands of the catcher position, there's reason for skepticism in regard to Grandal's statement.
Sep 8 2013Grandal is currently able to move about without any pain in his right knee, which underwent a full reconstruction of his ACL on August 6, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.The surgery requires a full 9-to-12 month recovery period, which places Grandal's availability for the 2014 campaign in some jeopardy, especially if he approaches the latter bound. However, the fact that he can already walk ably on his right leg is quite the encouraging sign and a signal that his rehab may go swimmingly. Whenever he does return, his status as the Padres' primary catcher is unlikely to have changed.
Aug 5 2013Grandal (knee) will not receive any additional suspensions from Major League Baseball for his connections to the Biogenesis clinic in Miami, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.After serving a 50-game suspension to begin the 2013 season, Grandal has already satisfied MLB with that punishment and can now focus on rehabbing his knee injury without the cloud of further disciplinary action stemming from this incident.
Jul 30 2013Grandal is not expected to be suspended this week for his involvement in the Biogenesis PED scandal because he served time for a failed drug test in 2012, CBSSports.com reports.Grandal apparently will be credited with time served because his 2012 suspension is connected to his involvement with Biogenesis. A number of players are expected to be suspended, but it's unknown which players will agree to cut a deal and which will appeal their suspensions. Those who agree to a deal likely would begin their suspensions immediately, effectively ending their seasons.
Jul 8 2013Grandal's knee surgery will require a full reconstruction of his ACL and thus carries a rehabilitation time of 9-12 months, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Doctors will wait approximately two weeks for the swelling to die down before operating on Grandal's right knee. The question is no longer whether he is done for next season but if he will be ready for the beginning of the 2014 campaign. It certainly doesn't help that he's a catcher, although Washington's Wilson Ramos tore his ACL last May and was ready for Opening Day this season. Grandal finishes the 2013 season with a .216/.352/.341 batting line, one home run, and nine RBI in just 108 plate appearances. Fantasy owners shouldn't be too alarmed by the disappointing numbers, as he seemingly suffered from quite a bit of poor luck in the small sample size. Grandal walked as many times as he struck out (18 each) this season, and had a .257 BAbip despite an impressive 23.9 percent line drive rate and a fly ball rate of just 28.2 percent. The Padres likely still view him as the catcher of the future.
Jul 8 2013Grandal will undergo surgery in a few weeks to repair the damage to his right ACL and MCL.The Padres weren't sure if surgery would be necessary, but they knew the injury was serious, and with this latest news it seems quite possible that Grandal will face a challenge to be ready for spring training next season. He's almost certainly done for 2013.
Jul 7 2013Grandal (knee) was moved to the 60-day DL on Sunday, MLB.com reports.The Padres' starting catcher injured both his ACL and MCL in a collision Saturday. He'll receive an X-ray on Sunday and an MRI on Monday before deciding if surgery is necessary. Should that be the case, Grandal would be in danger of missing the rest of the 2013 season. In his absence, Nick Hundley will be the team's primary catcher with Rene Rivera serving as the backup.
Jul 6 2013Grandal (knee) will be placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday, the Padres' official site reports.Grandal damaged both his ACL and MCL in a collision with Anthony Rendon on Saturday. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but he will receive an x-ray Sunday and MRI on Monday. He could miss the remainder of the season if surgery is deemed necessary.
Jul 6 2013Grandal sustained damage to his MCL and ACL and he was spotted on crutches after Saturday's game, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.The Padres initially tabbed the injury that forced Grandal from Saturday's game as a knee sprain, but it sounds like it is much more serious than that. Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports Grandal will be placed on the disabled list, which will free up a 25-man spot for the incoming Rene Rivera. Nick Hundley should take over as the Padres' starting catcher, with Rivera as his backup.
Jul 6 2013Grandal has been diagnosed with a right knee sprain and will be reevaluated after Saturday's game, mlb.com's Corey Brock reports.All things considered, it could have been much worse. A trip to the disabled list may be in Grandal's future, but based on the initial diagnosis it sounds like he probably avoided any broken bones or torn ligaments. The injury looked rather painful when it occurred Saturday, and Grandal wasn't able to put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the field.
Jul 6 2013Grandal left Saturday's game with what appeared to be a serious right leg injury following a play at the plate, mlb.com's Corey Brock reports.It sounds like Grandal could be sidelined for quite some time, as he reportedly put no weight on the leg while being helped off the field. Nothing is official yet, but Nick Hundley could be in for a major increase in playing time if Grandal is out for an extended period. Fantasy owners in deeper leagues may want to take note of Rene Rivera, who currently owns a .343/.382/.474 batting line as the starting catcher for Triple-A Tucson.
Jul 4 2013Grandal is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.Grandal will get the day of with the Padres playing a day game following Wednesday's night game. Although this is his second day off in three days, it should be looked at as another routine day of rest, as he is still considered the Padres' primary catcher.
Jul 2 2013Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.Grandal started heating up towards the end of June, but he will sit out in favor of Nick Hundley for the second time in four days. Though Grandal and Hundley have split the playing time over the last four games, Grandal remains the primary catcher, as Tuesday's game will be just the 11th he has not started since returning to action May 28.
Jun 29 2013Grandal is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Marlins.Grandal has picked it up at the plate a bit lately, with three multi-hit games in his last six starts. He'll get a rest Saturday after catching four straight contests but figures to be available off the bench and back in lineup Sunday.
Jun 21 2013Grandal is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Dodgers.Though Grandal is 4-for-8 in his career against Clayton Kershaw, Friday's starter for the Dodgers, manager Bud Black will sit the 24-year-old again after just two straight starts. Nick Hundley will take over behind the dish while Grandal will likely be available off the bench.
Jun 18 2013Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants.Grandal caught all 13 innings in Monday's game, so he will sit out in favor of Nick Hundley for the second time in three days. Grandal is still hitting just .196 this season, but he does own a .743 OPS in June thanks to walking nine times in 12 contests.
Jun 16 2013Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.Grandal will be receiving the day off after handling catching duties the last three nights. After getting off to a poor start offensively since returning from his 50-game suspension May 28, Grandal had his best game at the plate of the season Saturday, hitting a home run and driving in three while adding a walk.
Jun 9 2013Grandal is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Rockies, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.With hits in three of his last four games, Grandal appears to picking up a bit of momentum, but he'll sit Sunday while Nick Hundley takes over behind the plate.
Jun 6 2013Grandal is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rockies.Grandal has batted a meager .111 through 27 at-bats since returning from the DL, failing to completely stave off Nick Hundley for at-bats at catcher. Hundley has cooled considerably since his hot April but appears to be locked in a quasi-timeshare with Grandal until one of the two players separates himself from the other.
Jun 3 2013Grandal is not in the starting lineup Monday against the Dodgers, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Since returning from his 50-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, Grandal is just 2-for-21 (.095 average). It's a rocky start, but the sample size is small and his absence from Monday's lineup is more about him having caught the past three games.
May 30 2013Grandal is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.Grandal started the last two games after returning from his suspension, but he will be held out Thursday with the Padres playing a day game following a night game. Nick Hundley will get the start behind the plate in Grandal's place.
May 29 2013Grandal went 1-for-4 with a run scored in his season debut Tuesday in Seattle.Grandal put the ball in play in all four plate appearances, adding two flyouts and one groundout to his single. Now that he's back in the fold following a 50-game suspension, expect Grandal to serve as the Padres' primary catcher over Nick Hundley, who held down the role in his absence.
May 28 2013Grandal will start behind the plate and bat sixth in Tuesday's game against the Mariners, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.Grandal, who just completed a 50-game suspension, will jump right into the lineup Tuesday night. Fellow catcher Nick Hundley is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak after totaling just two hits through May's first 21 days, so it remains to be seen how the duo will split the catching duties moving forward.
May 28 2013Grandal was officially removed from the restricted list and will be available for Tuesday's game in Seattle, MLB.com reports.Grandal's 50-game suspension has come to a close, and he'll bring along a .306/.342/.389 line from Triple-A Tucson, where he's been logging time since mid-May. It is unclear if he'll immediately take over catching duties, but Nick Hundley's cold bat hasn't exactly inspired confidence through the first two months of the season.
May 27 2013Grandal (suspension) will be activated by the Padres and join the team in Seattle on Tuesday, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.San Diego will waste no time in bringing Grandal up, as Tuesday will be the first day the 24-year-old is eligible to return from his 50-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. John Baker will be sent down to make room for Grandal, who hit .306/.342/.389 in nine games with Triple-A Tucson this season.
May 27 2013Grandal could make his season debut Tuesday at Seattle, the first day he's eligible to return from his 50-game suspension, MLB.com reports.Grandal has posted a .306/.342/.389 slash line with two RBI and three runs scored in 36 at-bats during his recent stint at Triple-A Tucson. He would help solidify a lineup that has endured poor performance at the plate from catchers Nick Hundley and John Baker, who combined are hitting .135 (10-for-74) during the month of May.
May 21 2013Grandal is unsure if he'll be able to play immediately when he's first eligible on May 28, as he continues to recover from two inflamed tendons on his left side, MLB.com reports. Currently at Triple-A Tucson, he said: "I'm trying to get as many at-bats as I can here and trying to get a feel for the game again at the upper levels. I think they're going to be enough for me to go up to the big leagues."Grandal's absence to begin the season has allowed him to focus on his catching. He has made three appearances at Tucson so far, recording three hits (one double) in nine at-bats with one RBI and one run scored. If he doesn't return on May 28, he'll likely be back in the fold in some capacity shortly thereafter.
May 15 2013Grandal (suspension) will join Triple-A Tucson this weekend, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal will not be eligible to rejoin the Padres until May 28, but as per MLB rules, he will be allowed to head out on a 10-game minor league assignment before returning to the big club. Grandal and Nick Hundley figure to share the catching duties for the Padres upon Grandal's return, but Grandal could claim the starting job for himself if he is able to put up numbers similar to last season's, when he posted an .863 OPS in 60 games.
Feb 17 2013Grandal, who has not been able to pick up a bat in the offseason due to an inflamed tendon in his left middle finger, intends to take batting practice Monday, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.During the stretch run last season, Grandal stated that he "was swinging one-handed from the left side," as a result of the ailment. Since he was unable to hit in the winter, he placed all of his attention on the catching side of the equation. While he will spend the first 50 games of the season on the bench after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, Grandal's extra work could potentially pay off, as the 24-year-old only has the Nick Hundley and John Baker to contend with behind the plate. For now, though, Grandal plans to embark on spring training, extended spring training, and a minor league stint before joining the big club.
Nov 7 2012Grandal has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, MLB reports.Grandal drew heightened interest after hitting eight home runs and posting an .863 OPS in 60 games as a rookie this season, but Wednesday's report of a positive test for Testosterone will gain him notoriety for a whole nother reason. Grandal is worth hanging onto in keeper formats since he is one of the league's top young catching prospects, but his suspension will really put a damper on his value in one-year leagues. With Grandal set to miss most if not all of next season's first two months, Nick Hundley stands a decent chance to open next season as the Padres' starting catcher.
Oct 1 2012Grandal extended his hit streak to six games Monday night, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.Over the span of his streak, Grandal is hitting .526 with a home run and five RBI. The rookie catcher owns a .299 batting average to go along with eight home runs and 35 RBI in 187 at bats.
Sep 22 2012Grandal did not start Saturday because he took a foul ball off his mouth in Friday's game, the Padres' official site reports.He appeared in the game as a pinch hitter, but he did not play defense for precautionary reasons. The report did not indicate whether Grandal will be available Sunday, but this injury should not sideline him for long.
Sep 22 2012The Padres scratched Grandal from the lineup Saturday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.Grandal was in the Padres' initial lineup, but John Baker replaced him before game time. It is not immediately evident whether the scratch is injury related or the Padres wanted to give him extra rest toward the tail end of the longest season of his career.
Sep 19 2012Grandal is not in the starting lineup Wednesday, MLB.com reports.Grandal will receive his second night off in three days, so it's worth wondering if he's dealing with some kind of minor injury. In any event, John Baker gets the start in his place.
Aug 22 2012Grandal is not in the starting lineup Wednesday, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.Grandal is 0-for-12 since returning from the DL, and will get a mental day off. John Baker starts at catcher.
Aug 19 2012Grandal is not in the starting lineup Sunday, the North County Times reports.John Baker will start behind the plate and bat eighth.
Aug 17 2012Grandal (oblique) has been activated from the 15-day DL and will start at catcher for Friday's game against the Giants, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.The Padres will send Nick Hundley down to Triple-A Tuscon. Grandal will hit fifth in the order Friday.
Aug 14 2012Grandal (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with High-A Lake Elsinore, the Associated Press reports.Before Tuesday's game in Atlanta, Grandal took part in batting practice with the Padres before heading back to San Diego to begin his assignment. He can officially return to the big club Wednesday, but he'll likely wait until his teammates return home Friday for a six-game homestand before making his presence known in the lineup.
Aug 10 2012Grandal (oblique) has hit in the batting cage, off a tee and during soft toss this week, the Padres' official website reports.Grandal was expected to hit Friday and again Saturday as we works his way back from the oblique injury. He'll likely head out on a rehab assignment before returning to the Padres.
Aug 8 2012Grandal (oblique) is expected to hit off a tee and play long toss Wednesday, and may hit on the field Friday, Jeff Sanders of the North County Times reports.Grandal reported being fine after hitting off a tee Tuesday, and it looks like he's not too far away from hitting in the cage. However, there is no clear timetable for his return.
Aug 7 2012Grandal (oblique) ran and threw before Monday's game, but has still not swung a bat, the North County Times reports.After the activity, Grandal, who last played on July 30, said he was feeling "good." He appears to be on course for a return fairly close to the earliest date possible, August 15.
Aug 7 2012Grandal hit off a tee Tuesday, the first serious test of his oblique strain, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Grandal is progressing nicely in his recovery, but there's still no timetable for a return.
Aug 5 2012Grandal (oblique) could begin swinging a bat as soon as Monday, Jeff Sanders of the North County Times reports.It's good news for the 23-year-old, who landed on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained left oblique. Grandal hit .312/.349/.597 with five homers in 24 games (77 at-bats) before the injury, and it appears he's recovering a bit faster than expected.
Aug 3 2012Grandal (oblique) is improving, though there's no timetable yet for his return, the Padres' official site reports.There's little reason for the Padres to rush Grandal back, so it's likely that this will be more than the standard 15 days.
Jul 31 2012Grandal (oblique) has been placed on the 15-day DL, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports.It's believed that he'll return after the 15-day minimum, so Grandal owners should consider stashing him away for the stretch run if possible.
Jul 30 2012Grandal left Monday's game early after straining his left oblique while swinging, according to U-T San Diego.It's unclear exactly how bad the injury is, though oblique injuries often require some time on the disabled list. For now, consider him day-to-day but be prepared for him to miss a few weeks.
Jul 29 2012Grandal is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, the Padres' official Twitter page reports.Grandal, who has hit safely in his last six starts, will sit against right-hander Josh Johnson while John Baker catches.
Jul 27 2012Grandal was 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored, and three driven in as the Padres downed the Marlins on Friday night.He is now hitting a very solid .307, and he has driven in 14 runs since being recalled, and inserted into the Padres lineup as their primary catcher. The switch-hitting backstop has a bright future in the major leagues, and he is just getting started.
Jul 25 2012Grandal is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Giants, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports.It looks like just a day off for Grandal on getaway day, yielding a start to John Baker. Expect Grandal to be in the lineup when the team takes on the Marlins on Friday.
Jul 21 2012Grandal went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, a home run and three RBI against the Rockies on Friday.Grandal has been a solid addition to the Padres in just the short time he's been up with the big club. He's batting .288 with five home runs and 10 RBI in just 59 at-bats. He is solidifying himself as the Padres long-term backstop and has made the ineptitude of Nick Hundley a distant memory.
Jul 18 2012Grandal went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Astros.Grandal has been raking since his call up, though he still hasn't drawn a walk in 52 plate appearances. He now has three multi-hit games in his past five starts behind the plate.
Jul 18 2012Grandal is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Astros, San Diego Union-Tribune reports.John Baker will get a start behind the plate, while Grandal sits against lefty Wandy Rodriguez.
Jul 15 2012Grandal is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of the North County Times reports.The 23-year-old Grandal is yet to draw a walk this season, but he's hitting .302 with four homers in 12 games on the year. He'll sit Sunday while John Baker catches and bats eighth against lefty Chris Capuano.
Jul 5 2012Grandal started the Padres' rally against the Reds in the ninth Thursday with a leadoff double and scored the game-winning run. He went 1-for-4 in the game.This was Grandal's first game in Petco after making his MLB debut on the road. The Padres have him batting fifth in the order behind Carlos Quentin.
Jul 3 2012Grandal went 2-for-5 with a homer in Monday's 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks.Grandal's homer was his third in only 14 at-bats on the season. All three of those have come in the Padres' three-game winning streak.
Jun 30 2012In Grandal's first start in the majors, the rookie blasted two home runs Saturday to help San Diego to a 8-4 win against Colorado.Grandal has been one of the best prospects in baseball for the past couple years, and it seems that San Diego think now is the time for him to prove himself. It should also be noted that he recorded an error, so it needs to be said that Grandal will need to do some improving before he is the complete package.
Jun 29 2012Grandal will be recalled from Triple-A Tucson after Nick Hundley was sent to the minors, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.It looks like the Padres have finally decided to make a change at catcher and Grandal should take over the starting catcher job. Grandal will join the Padres on Saturday.