MLB Player News

Gomes is out of the lineup versus the Red Sox on Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes will receive a standard breather after starting the first three games of this series, during which he's gone 5-for-12 with one home run and two RBI. Roberto Perez will catch Adam Plutko in the matinee.

Maldonado went 3-for-5 with a double, a homer, two runs and three RBI in Wednesday's win over the Mariners.

It was quite the game for the veteran catcher, who hasn't been much of an asset with the bat this season. He hit an RBI single in the second, an RBI double in the fourth and added his eighth homer of the season with a solo shot in the fifth. Despite the strong game, he's still hitting just .226/.283/.370 on the season.

Vazquez (finger) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Monday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez has been cleared to return to game action for the first time since landing on the DL -- and subsequently undergoing finger surgery -- near the beginning of July. The backstop is expected to catch a few games in the minors before hopefully returning to the Red Sox's active roster around the start of September, barring any setbacks. In the meantime, Sandy Leon and Blake Swihart will continue to split catching duties.

Leon is not in the lineup versus Cleveland on Wednesday, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Leon will receive a standard day off for maintenance purposes after starting the first two games of the series. In his absence, Blake Swihart will handle the catching duties and bat eighth.

Sanchez (groin) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Sanchez will get his feet wet in the Gulf Coast League before transferring his rehab to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If everything goes as planned, Sanchez could be back with the big club after about a week's worth of games. He's been on the shelf since July 24 with a lingering groin issue, but it sounds like the slugging catcher could be back to help the Yankees -- and fantasy owners -- for the stretch run.

Garver is not in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Garver will check out of the lineup following three straight starts behind the dish. Bobby Wilson will start at catcher and hit ninth in his stead.

Jansen is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Orioles.

Jansen will give way to Luke Maile behind the dish following a string of three straight starts. The rookie backstop is hitting a solid .381/.391/.667 with a homer and three doubles through his first six big-league contests.

Jansen went 1-for-4 with a double Monday in the Blue Jays' 5-3 win over the Orioles.

Jansen was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 12 in part due to the Blue Jays needing regular backstop Russell Martin to fill at third base when injuries piled up, but the 23-year-old now seems unlikely to relinquish the top job behind the plate even once the big club reclaims some health on the left side of the infield. The rookie has recorded hits in all six of his starts, including doubles in each of his past three appearances. Jansen demonstrated excellent contact and on-base skills during his time in the minors and projects to continue delivering a stable batting average for the Blue Jays, making him someone worth rostering in just about every fantasy format that starts two catchers.

Vazquez (finger) has increased the intensity of his baseball activities and is nearing a rehab assignment, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Vazquez has been hitting soft toss, throwing and catching bullpen sessions. Manager Alex Cora hopes Vazquez can begin live batting practice later this week. They'll have Vazquez catch some games in the minors before having him return to the active roster in early September.

Narvaez will head to the bench Monday against the Twins, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Narvaez has hit .273/.412/.509 with three homers in 20 games since the All-Star break. Kevan Smith will handle catching duties in his absence.