The Cleveland Guardians have re-signed veteran backup catcher Austin Hedges to a one-year contract. Hedges played 66 games for Cleveland last season, posting a .152-2-15-12-2 line in 146 PA. While the offensive statistics don't jump off the page, the 32-year-old is said to be a clubhouse leader and mentor to young starting catcher Bo Naylor. That's certainly a good thing for the Guardians, however, it doesn't move the needle for fantasy. Even if something were to happen to Naylor, as a career .186 hitter over 12 major league seasons, the former second-round draft pick would likely be best left on the waiver wire.

The Cleveland Guardians have reportedly signed free-agent catcher Austin Hedges. The deal is a one-year contract for $4 million for the upcoming 2024 season. The expectation is that Hedges is going to be the backup to Bo Naylor. Hedges is a solid defensive catcher, but his skills with the bat are not desirable. He slashed 184/.234/.227 with one home run and 16 RBI last season. Hedges won't be someone worth rostering in fantasy formats. Although, it's a nice pickup for the Guardians on a cheap one year deal.

The Texas Rangers are acquiring catcher Austin Hedges from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, according to sources. It's unclear what the Pirates are getting in return, but it's unlikely to be anyone of significance in terms of minor-league prospects. The Rangers could use some more catching depth with Jonah Heim (wrist) currently on the 10-day injured list with a left-wrist tendon strain. Texas hopes Heim can avoid season-ending surgery. Hedges is hitting just .180/.237/.230 with a homer, 14 RBI and 13 runs scored in 161 at-bats this year with Pittsburgh. The defense-first backstop should split playing time with Mitch Garver in his new home. Back in Pittsburgh, rookie Endy Rodriguez will now be given more playing time with Hedges out of the way.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Austin Hedges will return to the lineup Thursday versus the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Luke Weaver. Hedges got the day off in Wednesday's series finale against the Rockies while he's off to a rough start to his 2023 season. The veteran backstop is hitting just .136 without a home run in 25 trips to the plate, which isn't entirely surprising. Once a highly-regarded prospect, the 30-year-old has very much been a glove-first catcher with elite defense and an unproductive bat. While he boasts some pop, Hedges is a career .189 hitter alongside a .141 isolated power and .249 wOBA. Fellow catcher Jason Delay is getting the lion's share of reps behind the plate for the Pirates and is hitting .313 with a homer and an .871 OPS across 35 plate appearances.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Austin Hedges (concussion) was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Tuesday due to a concussion he suffered in Sunday's game against the Reds. Hedges was struck by a foul tip and was eventually removed from the game. Catcher Tyler Heineman was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis and relief pitcher Edwin Uceta was designated for assignment in corresponding moves. Hedges has never been a fantasy asset and is off to a slow start this season, going hitless in his first nine plate appearances.

Free agent catcher Austin Hedges signed a one-year, $five million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. The 30-year-old is known more for his defense and will be Pittsburgh's primary catcher in 2023. He slashed .163/.241/.248 with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 26 runs, and two stolen bases over 105 games for the Guardians in 2022. The presence of Hedges should improve the Pirates pitching staff, but the veteran hasn't hit above .200 since 2018. Hedges should be in the lineup most days and is mainly an option in deep-league two-catcher formats in 2023.

Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges is not in the starting lineup on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hedges is hitting just .172/.235/.278 on the season with six home runs, 18 RBI, 16 runs scored and a stolen base in 180 at-bats, so he hasn't been of much help to fantasy managers, even in two-catcher leagues. It's the second time in the last three games that he'll start on the bench. Luke Maile will do the catching on Saturday and is hitting eighth against Rays right-hander Corey Kluber. Maile hasn't been much better than Hedges on the year, going 18-for-98 (.188) with no home runs and six RBI in 42 games. Avoid Maile in DFS.

Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (hip) is likely to be out of the starting lineup for a few days. The organization considers Hedges day-to-day with a left hip injury. He tweaked his hip during Friday's game and hasn't played since then. It's possible that Hedges lands on the injured list, but the organization might wait and see if Hedges improves. Until then, Luke Maile is likely to continue starting behind the plate. Neither player offers much upside in terms of fantasy value.

Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges is back in the lineup on Tuesday for a matchup with the San Diego Padres and right-hander Mike Clevinger. Hedges is batting ninth against the veteran. For the season, Hedges is hitting .140 with a .204 on-base percentage, two home runs, and a stolen base in 56 plate appearances. Fantasy managers in search of streaming help at the position are probably best off looking elsewhere for catching options.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning Saturday night after police said there was a shooting outside Nationals Park. The shooting, an exchange of gunfire between people in two cars, left three people injured, according to Ashan Benedict, the Metropolitan Police Department’s executive assistant police chief. One of the people who was shot was a woman who was attending the game and who was struck while she was outside the stadium, he said. Her injuries weren’t considered life-threatening. Two people who were in one of the cars later walked into a local hospital with gunshot wounds and were being questioned by investigators, Benedict said, and the extent of their injuries wasn’t immediately clear. Investigators were still trying to locate the second vehicle involved in the shooting. The gunshots caused panic among fans inside the stadium, some of whom ducked for cover, hiding underneath tables and behind seats as announcers... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning Saturday night after police said there was a shooting outside Nationals Park. The shooting, an exchange of gunfire between people in two cars, left three people injured, according to Ashan Benedict, the Metropolitan Police Department’s executive assistant police chief. One of the people who was shot was a woman who was attending the game and who was struck while she was outside the stadium, he said. Her injuries weren’t considered life-threatening. Two people who were in one of the cars later walked into a local hospital with gunshot wounds and were being questioned by investigators, Benedict said, and the extent of their injuries wasn’t immediately clear. Investigators were still trying to locate the second vehicle involved in the shooting. The gunshots caused panic among fans inside the stadium, some of whom ducked for cover, hiding underneath tables and behind seats as announcers... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning Saturday night after police said there was a shooting outside Nationals Park. Two people were shot, according to a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department. Based on preliminary information, investigators believe that one of the victims was an employee at the stadium. Washington police later tweeted that “two additional victims associated with this incident walked into area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.” The Padres had just taken the field for the bottom of the sixth when several loud pops were heard from the left field side of the ballpark. Fans sitting in left field quickly began leaving through the center field gate. A short time later, fans along the first base side began briskly leaving their seats. Some fans crowded into the Padres’ dugout on the third base side for safety. The Padres led 8-4 when the game was halted. It will be resumed Sunday afternoon, followed... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning Saturday night after police said there was a shooting outside Nationals Park. Two people were shot, according to a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department. Based on preliminary information, investigators believe that one of the victims was an employee at the stadium. Washington police later tweeted that “two additional victims associated with this incident walked into area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.” The Padres had just taken the field for the bottom of the sixth when several loud pops were heard from the left field side of the ballpark. Fans sitting in left field quickly began leaving through the center field gate. A short time later, fans along the first base side began briskly leaving their seats. Some fans crowded into the Padres’ dugout on the third base side for safety. The Padres led 8-4 when the game was halted. It will be resumed Sunday afternoon, followed... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning Saturday night after police said there was a shooting outside Nationals Park. Two people were shot, according to a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department. Based on preliminary information, investigators believe that one of the victims was an employee at the stadium. Washington police later tweeted that “two additional victims associated with this incident walked into area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.” The Padres had just taken the field for the bottom of the sixth when several loud pops were heard from the left field side of the ballpark. Fans sitting in left field quickly began leaving through the center field gate. A short time later, fans along the first base side began briskly leaving their seats. Some fans crowded into the Padres’ dugout on the third base side for safety. The Padres led 8-4 when the game was halted. It will be resumed Sunday afternoon, followed... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians got back one of their key missing pieces Saturday, activating catcher Roberto Pérez from the injured list. A two-time Gold Glove winner, Pérez has been out since undergoing surgery on his right index finger in May. Pérez initially got hurt when he got crossed up on a pitch from reliever James Karnichak in an April 13 game in Chicago. Pérez continued to play with the injury, but it wasn't healing and he needed an operation. He's batting just .131 in 61 at-bats, but the 32-year-old is invaluable defensively and in handling Cleveland's staff. Pérez was active for Saturday night's game against the Astros and was set to catch Sunday. With Pérez coming back, the Indians designated backup catcher René Rivera for assignment. The 37-year-old Rivera did a nice job filling in for Austin Hedges, who will move into his usual role behind Pérez. The Indians have been ravaged by injuries all season, and they're beginning to take a toll. Cleveland had lost six of seven when... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. DODGERS 3, GIANTS 2 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts and Max Muncy hit back-to-back home runs to begin the first... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zach Davies and three Chicago Cubs relievers combined for the seventh no-hitter in the majors this year, blanking the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 Thursday night and tying the record for most in a single baseball season since 1900. The Dodgers drew eight walks, getting at least one from each Cubs pitcher, but managed no other baserunners. Davies (5-4) issued five walks and used 94 pitches to get through six innings against the defending World Series champions in the 16th start of his first season with the Cubs. Ryan Tepera and Andrew Chafin each went one inning. Craig Kimbrel then walked Chris Taylor leading off the ninth, but the closer struck out Cody Bellinger, Albert Pujols and pinch-hitter Will Smith to finish the 17th no-hitter in Cubs history — the team’s first combined effort. Javier Báez homered in the first inning and Willson Contreras added a two-run shot in the sixth for the Cubs, who happily celebrated the franchise’s first no-hitter since last Sept. 13, when... [More]