MLB Player News
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Gary Sanchez C | MIL
Yankees' Gary Sanchez: Takes on-field batting practice
Sanchez (groin) took batting practice on the field prior to Tuesday's game, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Sanchez continues to ramp up without any issues and is now likely one step away -- running the bases -- from being cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment. Hoch suggests Sanchez could begin playing in rehab games by this weekend. If he does receive clearance to join an affiliate by the end of the week, Sanchez would stand a good chance to be ready once play resumes July 20 or shortly thereafter.
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Yan Gomes C | CHC
Indians' Yan Gomes: Taking seat Tuesday
Gomes is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Reds.
He will sit for the third time in the last seven games. Roberto Perez is starting behind the dish and hitting eighth.
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James McCann C | ARI
Tigers' James McCann: Taking seat Tuesday
McCann is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Rays, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
McCann had started the last four games, so he was due for a day off. John Hicks is starting at catcher and hitting cleanup.
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Sandy Leon C | ATL
Red Sox's Sandy Leon: Takes seat Tuesday
Leon is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Rangers, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Christian Vazquez (finger) is out 6-to-8 weeks, and while Leon is expected to be the primary backstop in his absence, he has caught the last four games and was due for a day off. Blake Swihart will start behind the dish, hitting eighth.
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Max Stassi C | SF
Astros' Max Stassi: Not starting Monday
Stassi is out of Monday's lineup against the A's.
He is hitting .194/.306/.355 with two home runs in 21 games (62 at-bats) since the start of June. Tim Federowicz will start behind the dish and hit ninth.
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Christian Vazquez C | HOU
Red Sox's Christian Vazquez: Headed for surgery, out 6-to-8 weeks
Vazquez (finger) will have surgery and is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
It was initially announced that Vazquez would only miss 2-to-3 weeks, so this comes as an unfortunate surprise. Manager Alex Cora said he is fine going forward with Sandy Leon and Blake Swihart as his two catchers while Vazquez is out, but it's certainly possible the Red Sox will target a catcher at the trade deadline.
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Gary Sanchez C | MIL
Yankees' Gary Sanchez: Could begin rehab assignment this weekend
Sanchez (groin) may be able to begin a rehab assignment at some point over the weekend, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
He is scheduled to take on-field batting practice in Baltimore on Tuesday and will continue to ramp things up before potentially getting sent to the minors for game action. Sanchez may not require a very long rehab assignment if he steers clear of any setbacks with the groin, as he has only been on the shelf for two weeks. That means he could return from the 10-day disabled list shortly after the All-Star break.
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Christian Vazquez C | HOU
Red Sox's Christian Vazquez: Expecting 2-to-3-week absence
Vazquez (finger) said Sunday that he expects to be sidelined for 2-to-3 weeks, Jordan Wolf of MLB.com reports.
The Red Sox didn't provide a concrete timetable for the backstop's absence after placing him on the 10-day disabled list Sunday, but Vazquez seems optimistic that he'll avoid a long-term stay on the shelf. He's scheduled to visit a hand specialist Monday have his fractured right pinkie finger examined, which should provide a better indication if Vazquez's estimation is accurate. Sandy Leon and Blake Swihart will pick up the slack behind the plate while Vazquez is sidelined, with the former expected to handle the larger share of starts.
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Mitch Garver C | SEA
Twins' Mitch Garver: Hits fourth home run
Garver went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Sunday against the Orioles.
Garver began the Twins' rout of the Orioles by blasting his fourth home run of the season off Alex Cobb in the fifth inning. He now has two home runs in his last four games, prior to which he had not hit a home run since April 28. His ability to draw walks gives him some value in on-base percentage leagues, and his role makes him an option for two-catcher formats, but otherwise, there's not much fantasy appeal for Garver.