MLB Player News

Perez (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday after a second opinion confirmed the damage to his UCL, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez headed to Dr. Neal ElAttrache for the second opinion and is now set to go under the knife after the diagnosis was confirmed. The injury was originally believed to be minor but will instead put an end to the 28-year-old's 2019 season prior to Opening Day. Cameron Gallagher is set to take over at catcher for the Royals with Meibrys Viloria next on the depth chart, assuming the team doesn't make any late roster additions.

Heim was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Heim made it to Double-A Midland a season ago, but he failed to find much success at the dish. He slashed .182/.238/.234 with a home run and 11 RBI over 39 games. Heim appears likely to start the 2019 campaign with the same RockHounds group.

Gallagher could start a larger-than-expected number of games this season, as Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that starting catcher Salvador Perez is likely to require Tommy John surgery.

Assuming Perez does indeed undergo the procedure, he'll miss the entirety of the 2019 season. Gallagher currently appears to have an unquestioned role as the next in line, though the Royals could move to bring in another catcher. Gallagher's .206/.250/.302 line last season seems to make that an appealing alternative, though that line did come in a small sample of just 69 plate appearances, so it's possible he has room to improve. Martin Maldonado is the top remaining free-agent catcher and could be brought in to split time, though the Royals may be fine with giving at-bats to Gallagher as a younger, in-house option.

Leon went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in Friday's game against the Twins.

Leon is in a three-way battle for two spots on Boston's roster. Christian Vazquez is expected to be the starting catcher, leaving Leon and Blake Swihart vying for the backup job. The Red Sox have stated they are looking to trade one of their backstops, and the recent injury to Kansas City's Salvador Perez (elbow) could trigger talks between the two teams.

Sanchez went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Orioles.

Sanchez struck out in his first at-bat before flying out in his second and final trip to the plate Friday. More important is the fact that Sanchez played four innings behind the dish and reported no issues, which should ease concerns over his surgically repaired left shoulder. He's expected to start at catcher again Sunday.

Perez is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery sometime next week, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Perez was scratched from Thursday's spring game with what was originally thought to be a minor elbow injury, though a subsequent MRI revealed damage to his UCL that is apparently serious enough to warrant surgery. The 28-year-old backstop was originally scheduled to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles next week for a second opinion, but it sounds like the procedure has already been recommended for him. Assuming Perez goes under the knife next week, he'll miss the entire 2019 campaign, leaving Cameron Gallagher to step in as the team's starting backstop unless the Royals decide to acquire someone else.

Perez will head to Los Angeles next week to get a second opinion on his injured ulnar collateral ligament from Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Dr. ElAttrache's name typically pops up when Tommy John surgery is close, so the worst-case scenario is certainly not a good one for Perez and the Royals. Perez's injury initially appeared insignificant, as he was scratched from Thursday's game due to what was then called minor elbow soreness, but an MRI revealed damage to his UCL. If Tommy John surgery does end up being required, Perez would miss the entire season, leaving Cameron Gallagher in line for an expanded role.

Sanchez (shoulder) will start behind the plate and bat cleanup in Friday's spring game against the Orioles, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Sanchez took part in a simulated game Thursday, which proved to be the final hurdle before his spring training debut Friday. There was some thought the 26-year-old would be eased into the lineup as the designated hitter, but he will instead jump straight into things at catcher, which is a great sign for the status of his surgically repaired left shoulder.

Zavala hasn't played since the first game of spring due to a strained left quad, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Zavala went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in the game but unfortunately has been unable to retake the field. The 25-year-old hopes to return to action for the White Sox sometime next week.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Perez will sit out Thursday due to minor elbow soreness, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Yost didn't seem too worried about the issue, chalking it up to normal spring soreness. Once healthy, Perez will be eased into action, starting off as a designated hitter before making his debut behind the dish sometime next week. Assuming everything goes as planned, Perez should have plenty of time to get up to speed before Opening Day.